The city of Aurora has hired a northern California-based search firm to conduct a national hiring process for its new police chief.

Bob Murray & Associates will begin this month with developing a candidate profile, Councilwoman Allison Hiltz described in a Facebook post. The company will take input from the public, the City Council and the police department. Residents can expect a public forum as well as an online survey.

Moving into February and March, BM&A will advertise in journals, newsletters, and online, and contact prospective candidates directly.

In the spring, the company will develop a list of finalists, which will likely number between four and six. In-person interviews will occur in May and will consist of “assessment centers” and “mock media interviews.” At this point, there will be additional public forums for candidates to meet Aurora residents.

The city manager will select the final candidate and the City Council will confirm him or her in May or June.

Beginning Jan. 1, Vanessa Wilson took over as interim chief after Nick Metz, the chief since 2015, stepped down. His intended interim replacement, Deputy Chief Paul O’Keefe, withdrew from consideration one week before the end of the year, citing increased media attention over his involvement in a case involving an officer who was drunk on duty.