How to access input field in the select-with-search element

I tried to access the model when a user is completing a select that have the search option enable. I could not access it. I feel like the selectpicker directive is hiding that model.
As a workaround I used [ui-select](https://github.com/angular-ui/ui-select) module that has many features. I just needed some customization of the scss files as well to keep it concise with the current blur-admin style.