Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings is recommending that Deputy Chief Steven Krokoff be made the permanent head of the Albany Police Department.
In April, a search committee had narrowed the city's police chief search to four candidates.
On Friday afternoon, Jennings announced that he has picked Krokoff to lead Albany's police force.
Krokoff is the first chief candidate who will need to be approved by the Albany Common Council.
He has served as acting chief since the abrupt and controversial retirement of James Tuffey in September 2009.
Since taking over the department's reins, Krokoff has earned the support of community leaders and citizens.
He has responded to Albany's cry for more community policing.
"It's a lot better, truthfully," says Sandra Perkins, who works in Albany. "You see cops everywhere which is great."
Jason Thomas of Albany tells us, "I've seen a lot of patrol out here."
Thomas says he is a public safety consultant and tells us that he attended some of the community forums regarding the police chief search.
He says community policing is more than just putting officers on bikes.
"It's about putting the right people in the right places," Thomas explains. "You have to be culturally competent out here."
Neither Jennings nor Krokoff was available for an interview following Friday's announcement.
Jennings offered this quote in his press release about Krokoff's appointment: "I am absolutely certain that Chief Krokoff is the best qualified individual to lead the Albany Police Department. He has the proven leadership skills, experience and intellect that will ensure his success as Police Chief. The Chief also has excellent communication and interpersonal skills that have enabled him to work successfully with personnel at all levels within the Police Department, as well as within the community. I am confident that he will be an outstanding Police Chief."
Krokoff released a statement that reads, "I am honored to have been selected by Mayor Jennings to become the next Albany Police Chief. I recognize that the Mayor has been extremely thorough in making this selection and I look forward to the next stage of confirmation by the Common Council. I will enter that process with the same transparency as I have since this process began and I would like to thank everyone for their support."
Common Council members are praising Krokoff and the rest of his command staff.
"They've been very forthcoming and they've included the community," says Dominick Calsolaro, who represents Ward One. "I think they've made a lot of strides in getting the community back involved with the police department."
Some people are surprised by the timing of Friday's announcement.
Calsolaro says, "To do it at the last minute on a Friday night, that's kind of the day you bury things."
The mayor's selection isn't creating much controversy.
"This is great news!" says Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin.
She says she expects Krokoff's confirmation process to go smoothly.
"I expect unanimous confirmation," she tells us.
In the coming weeks, the city's public safety committee will organize a public hearing regarding Krokoff's appointment.
Krokoff will then have to meet with the Common Council before the members vote.
