City officials are planning to create a committee to review a list of 10 applicants for Tucumcari's chief of police.

City Manager Bobbye Rose said the intent is to narrow the list down to finalists in about a week.

Deadline for applications was March 5, said City Clerk Christine Dougherty.

“There were 11 applications but one of them was incomplete and will not be considered,” Dougherty said.

Rose said she is still finalizing the committee, which will include city staff as well as other agencies and a community member.

“I want to ensure that this appointment is based upon the best person for the job and not the ‘good old boy system’,” Rose said. “I hope to have interviews scheduled in the next couple of weeks.”

Dougherty said the position was advertised, beginning Feb. 3, in the Quay County Sun. It was also posted in the Albuquerque Journal, the city of Tucumcari’s Web site, the New Mexico Municipal League Web site, and the New Mexico Department of Labor Web site, she said.

Tucumcari had been without a police chief since Jan 15, when Roger Hatcher was placed on paid administrative leave. Hatcher was fired 10 days later.

It was the second time Hatcher had been placed on paid leave. The first was on July 6, 2009, after he shot 14-year-old Kailee Martinez with a Taser. He returned to duty later that month after being cleared by internal investigation.

Hatcher is currently serving as a Roosevelt County Sheriff’s deputy on a temporary basis.

Tucumcari Fire Chief Mike Cherry has been serving as interim administrator, overseeing the department.

Officer Jason Braziel, who is among the applicants for the chief’s position, has been serving as interim operations commander for the department.

Applicant list

• Jason Braziel

Police officer, Tucumcari

• Robert Cooper

Detective, Tucumcari

• Patricia Lopez

Sergeat, Tucumcari

• Lloyd Maestas

Land Ranger II, Tucumcari

• Charles Newman

Mechanic, Tucumcari

• Peter Rivera

Sergeant, Tucumcari

• Jesus Roybal

City Administrator, Santa Rosa

• Ty Sharpe

Sergeant, Roswell

• Michael Shumate

Senior Criminal Investigator, Gallup

• Todd Warren

Vice President of Sales

Texarkana, Texas