Public safety director search underway

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The effort to name a new public safety director in Indianapolis takes a step forward Monday.

Two local candidates will meet with Mayor Greg Ballard to discuss the public safety director job left vacant by Dr. Frank Straub. The controversial Straub left the job last month after announcing his retirement in April.

Both of the candidates currently hold jobs within the city's Department of Public Safety. Indianapolis Fire Department Chief Brian Sanford is one of the candidates. He was named chief of IFD in 2008.

The other local candidate sitting down with the mayor Monday is Gary Coons. He's currently head of the city's Division of Homeland Security.

24-Hour News 8 was told both have already interviewed with members of the committee formed to help choose who gets the job.

The committee members have interviewed out of town candidates also including one considered by our sources a front runner.

He is Troy Riggs. Riggs is currently the Assistant City Manager in Corpus Christi, Texas. Riggs has already been in town to interview. He formerly was a police officer in Texas and has worked in Kentucky.

"It's one of the top jobs in America," Riggs recently told a Texas TV station. "It's flattering to be even considered for a job of that magnitude."

As many as 40 people applied for the job but 24-Hour News 8 has had to get specific names from sources familiar with the candidate search.

Indiana's public records law doesn't require the names of prospective employees to be released.

Mayor Greg Ballard has said an announcement on who will get the job could come in the next week or so.