(POCOMOKE CITY, Md.) Pocomoke city officials selected a new police chief. William "Bill" Harden Sr. was chosen out of eight candidates.
Town manager Ernie Crofoot said Harden still has to go through the formal hiring process before he starts in the position.
"He has all of the requirements and qualifications," Crofoot said. "I don't expect any problems during the normal hiring process."
Harden is a retired Maryland State Trooper. He served 25 years on the force. He now works at the Maryland District Court.
The hiring comes after former police chief Kelvin Sewell was fired. Community members said they still have unanswered questions about the situation.
Isaac Jenkins Jr. and his father Isaac Jenkins Sr. started the movement to initially get Chief Sewell back on board. Their petitions have stopped during the current ongoing investigation.
"We still don't know why he was let go," Isaac Jenkins Jr. said. "As a community we deserve to know why. We were never told."
"During the time Kelvin Sewell was chief there were no killings," Jenkins Sr. said. "He dropped the crime rate and he did a wonderful job."
Sewell's attorney said in July he was let go because he refused to terminate two African American officers. The case is under investigation, and city officials will not comment.
Marc Scher owns a bridal shop downtown. He said he was good friends with Kelvin Sewell, but he understands the decision.
"He was a great chief," Scher said. "He was a great man. However I respect the city's decision if they did what they had to."
Ernie Crofoot said he understands the community's concern. However his job was to find someone to fill the leadership position now.
"This could take years to resolve," Crofoot said. "I understand some people in the community were upset. We needed someone to fill this position no matter what the circumstances."
Harden will finish his time at the District Court. He will begin the formal hiring process within the next few weeks.