Bridgeport First made its pitch for an open process to the commission by pointing out that city officials have already agreed to two other demands from the group.

Those demands include hiring the International Association of Chiefs of Police to conduct the chief search and extending the application deadline from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15.

Personnel Director Ralph Jacobs said public meetings would be held, but was not specific about how many and under what format.

"Part of the plan is to hold public sessions. The tentative plan is to have at least two," Jacobs said.

He said those meetings may be held before the Board of Police Commissioners, but added that any discussion would be open to the public.

"It will allow for detailed discussion," he added.

As Jacobs spoke, the half-dozen members of Bridgeport First who attended the meeting held up signs and pointed to a display that demanded public question-and-answer sessions during the search for a police chief.

They expect the IACP representatives to attend those sessions and answer questions.

Don Greenberg, a spokesman for Bridgeport First, said he's pleased with the commission's response.

"The only issue still unresolved was public meetings. We think they are very important," he said, explaining that his group believes officials must receive citizen input as they conduct the search.

Bridgeport First members said they became involved because of concerns the city did not appear to be committed to a national search for a police chief. The city is also looking for a new fire chief, and that search is being conducted at the same time as the search for a police chief. However, there is no national organization, such as the IACP, that conducts searches for fire chiefs, so city officials will place advertisements and conduct the process.

The IACP will run ads for a police chief and administer tests to candidates. The group has extensive contacts within the police community.

Ultimately, Mayor John M. Fabrizi will chose from among the three top-scoring applicants for the job.

Anthony Armeno is the city's provisional police chief, while Brian Rooney serves as provisional fire chief. Armeno was appointed in January after Wilbur Chapman left abruptly when the police board refused to extend his contract. Rooney also was appointed in January when his predecessor, Michael Maglione, was named fire chief in Waterbury.

Some City Council members have complained the mayor should not have granted both chiefs provisional status, which meant substantial raises for each.

Bill Cummings, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6230.