Lane County Sheriff Tom Turner has learned he was not chosen to be Chief of Police in Florence.
Florence has had an interim police chief since January, when the former chief retired. They'd hoped to have the position filled by April. City Recorder Kelly Weese says there was a good reason for the delay:
Weese: "We had some great applicants, and I think if anything that made it take a little longer."
Florence officials have narrowed their search to one finalist and are now doing background checks. They haven't released the name of the candidate, but Weese says they hope to announce their decision next week.
Tom Turner started his career in Florence as a resident deputy. He says he loved it there and would have been happy to move back to the coast. His term as Lane County sheriff expires in 2017, but he says he won't be ready to retire then. He'll continue to look for other opportunities.
