POULSBO — Any questions about where Little Norway’s interim police chief is coming from were clearly answered March 7 by the Poulsbo City Council.

In a unanimous vote, all seven council members agreed with Mayor Kathryn Quade’s request that Bellevue-based Prothman Company provide the interim chief and assist the city with its search to find retiring Police Chief Jeff Doran’s replacement.

That vote ran contrary to the wishes of many in the department and the Save the Poulsbo Police group, which urged the city to name one of the department’s three sergeants to serve as interim chief.

“This is the proper time and the proper sequence to move forward,” Quade said.

The interim chief will begin his duties on March 19, which is one day before Doran’s last day, she said. He or she will be paid $70 per hour.

“This will keep us moving ahead with the process study and our level of work,” she said.

The process study is still a few weeks from being completed, and Quade said she hopes the department’s staff and officers will continue providing input to the consultant, Steve Miller of Miller and Miller, P.S.

Even though a timeline has not been announced for the actual start of the search for Doran’s replacement, Quade said it will begin near the conclusion of the process study, when city officials have a better idea of the overall department’s needs.

Despite going against the department’s wishes, Councilman Ed Stern said Wednesday night’s vote still supports the overall well-being of the police force.

“Everyone has an opportunity to apply for the position, and this keeps it an equal playing field,” Stern said. “The interim is just that. Interim.”

Having an outsider fill the police chief void also maintains the integrity of the process study in addition to allowing the department to continue its normal operations, Stern said.

Councilman Mike Regis agreed that the council made the right decision on the interim police chief issue.

The council has the responsibility to follow the existing human resource policies and trends, which is what it did in approving the mayor’s recommendation, Regis said.

The decision also leaves the door open for anyone who meets the qualifications to apply for the permanent police chief position once that search begins, Regis said.

Steve Hancock, who is president of the Save the Poulsbo Police group, could not be reached for comment by press time.