At some point soon – possibly within weeks, almost certainly before the official arrival of fall – Cranston will have a new police chief.

The future of the police department, at this point, seems less certain and largely dependent on the direction taken in terms of leadership.

The city’s department has been under a glaring spotlight for months, all starting with a December meeting at which two City Council members went public with the allegation their wards had been targeted with parking tickets in retaliation for a Finance Committee vote against a new police contract.

The developments since then have been many: the involvement of Rhode Island State Police; the retirement of former chief Col. Marco Palombo Jr. and Major Bob Ryan; the recommendation that the head of the police union be fired in connection with the ticketing; the prospect of a multi-million dollar lawsuit from a current police captain.

All the while, the tension has been palpable at City Hall.

Several citizens and council members have voiced deep frustration with the lack of full resolution to the situation and pressed for an answer on when state police will complete their review of the department’s operations.

Some have also questioned the leadership of Mayor Allan Fung, particularly in light of the complaint filed by Capt. Todd Patalano, which claims Palombo unfairly targeted him with disciplinary charges, and other personnel issues facing the department.

“I like Allan Fung…but I think he dropped the ball,” said Council President John Lanni, who was among council members was one of the sharpest in his criticism. He estimated personnel issues have cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The mayor, meanwhile, trained his sights squarely on Patalano, who was returned to duty earlier this year after roughly two years on paid leave.

“Patalano’s demand for millions from the taxpayers shows he is more interested in serving himself than in serving the residents that he is sworn to protect,” Fung said in a statement, pledging to “vigorously” defend the city against the “outrageous claims” in the complaint.

It’s certainly fair to question the mayor’s handling of the department. While its divisions – the factions are widely known as the “A team” and “B team” – are not new, they have clearly not lessened in recent years. The ticketing situation obviously served as a catalyst for most of the more recent developments, opening other aspects of police operations up to additional scrutiny. And that kind of scrutiny comes with the territory when serving as the city’s chief executive.

The mayor should be credited, however, for making the move to involve state police. State Police Capt. Kevin Barry has drawn universally rave reviews for his stewardship of the department, even from those most critical of the administration, and addressing other ongoing matters, while painful, is vital to the process of moving forward.

That’s where the selection of a new chief enters the equation, looming as a particularly critical step in the process and a chance for the mayor to make a truly meaningful, long-lasting impact on the culture and operations of the department.

The council has clearly expressed its wish that the new chief come from the outside, and the success Barry has had during his brief tenure would seem to point to the benefits of looking externally. The mayor has said he will consider any eligible candidate so as to find the best person for the job regardless.

The application period for the position closed last week, so more about the field of candidates should be known soon. Given the issues facing the city’s police department, we hope those charged with selecting its next leader choose wisely and that whoever is selected is up to the significant task of bridging divisions, fostering a positive environment and working in the community’s best interest.