FREEPORT - Failure of many of the applicants for the city's police chief position to meet physical fitness requirements has prompted the city to bring in some outside muscle to find its top cop, Mayor Larry McDonald said.

The city has hired SRG Search, a Canadian company specializing in finding top leadership, to conduct a national search at a cost of about $15,000, Freeport officials said. McDonald approved the expenditure, which since it is less than $25,000, does not require council approval.