Not only does Baldwin City Police Chief Mike McKenna interview suspects, but his colleagues as well.

In April, McKenna will serve as one of 16 assessors who will interview and evaluate some of the 82 candidates seeking to become sergeants with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

McKenna, Baldwin City’s police chief since 2002, has helped the Kansas City department with interviews a few times, the last in 2004. He also has done the same for police in San Francisco.

Because of his experience evaluating police officers who are seeking promotions, McKenna has often been recommended to help larger departments, which are familiar with his work.

“The candidates that we look for as an assessor, they know that they are holding the careers of these people in their hands. We look for people that are going to be dedicated at what they do,” said Renee Gatewood, a testing specialist with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Gatewood said the department brings in commanders from across the nation to conduct interviews.

She said McKenna would grade candidates during spoken exercises that could be videotaped and involve role plays.

He is scheduled to interview the candidates April 16 through 20 in Kansas City, Mo.

McKenna said he got started in the process years ago when he served on an oral interview board for the promotional department of the Wichita Police Department, where he served for more than 20 years and retired in 1996.

“The leaders of today are going to shape the direction and mold the department for years to come. I think it’s a very important part of any organization’s carrying on the leadership that they need for the next generation,” McKenna said.

McKenna says he listens not only to a candidate’s answer but also, more importantly, to what he or she did not say.

“You’re looking for the same general qualifications (in a candidate) that is going to make a good leader and that you honestly feel is a person that has the ability to be in charge of others and makes sound decisions,” he said.