A new Forks police chief may be hired sooner than later to replace outgoing chief Doug Price. Price is scheduled to leave the post at the end of October.

Two candidates, both currently serving as police chiefs, are coming to Forks for a look see this week, Mayor Bryon Monohon told the Forks City Council on Monday evening, Oct. 24.

After their visit Monohon and his staff will discuss the pros and cons of the candidates.

If the candidates appear viable during their visits a conference call to City Hall will be held, with council members invited to take part.

In replay to Councilman Gus Wallerstedt’s question about doing a “deep” check on the candidates’ background, Monohon said the check could be less intense than the one undertaken last year when outgoing Forks Police Chief Doug Price was hired, or more, the council could decide that if they wish, he said.

“How do we get to the point where the public is comfortable with him?” Monohon said of the process he is undertaking to hire a new chief as soon as possible.

In discussion of hiring a temporary police chief, Councilman Mike Bridenbach said that would entail more risk than going ahead.

Monohon said temporarily Forks Police Sergeant Ed Klahn, whose staff assignment is overseeing the Forks Jail, has seniority and will be called upon to lead the force in the interim.

The mayor the two candidates, who were culled from the 10 or so applications for the chief of police job.