Candidates for West Allis police chief down to two

Two candidates are still in the running to succeed Michael Jungbluth as West Allis police chief.

They are Interim Chief Charles Padgett who previously had been a deputy chief in charge of operations and Rick Balistrieri, who retired as a deputy chief in the West Allis department more than a year ago, said Joseph Kempen, chairman of the West Allis Police and Fire Commission.

The commission will start interviewing the candidates later this month and will probably choose one in early February, he said.

"Both are outstanding candidates," Kempen said.

The city received eight applications for police chief, he said. Jungbluth's last day was in mid-November.