M. Douglas Scott was selected as the city's next police chief. He said some of the challenges the police department faces are not unique to other departments across the country.
"I know what the challenges are, and I think I'm up to the challenge," Scott said.
Officers say they are excited about Scott's hiring, and they are glad the search is finally over.
"We got a leader and we're hoping to move in a forward direction," said Sgt. Andy Miller, president of the Police Benvelolent Association. "He's got some traits that most leaders have. When you talk to him, you get a feeling of confidence."
Scott, 45, who begins Dec. 1 and will earn $108,000,was the candidate endorsed by the city's three police groups.
Scott has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience. He spent two years as chief in Fairfax City, Va., and three years as police chief of Fairfax County, which is nearly double the size of Durham's department.
Scott said he can continue the path set by his friend and former ChiefTeresa Chambers. Chambers left Jan. 31 to head the U.S. Park Police.
"I am ready to dive into the issues facing the community and totake the department to a level of success to make it the bestpolice department in the state," Scott said.
Miller admits the position comes with some baggage.
"Morale is certainly going to be an issue. It slipped somewhat during the long drawn-out process. He seems to have a good grip on what problems are facing Durham," he said.
City Manager Marcia Conner made the announcement after learningthat Charles Austin Sr., chief and assistant city manager forpublic safety in Columbia, S.C., announced his intent to remain inhis $128,602 job during a city council executive session thereWednesday.
"I am confident that we have chosen the best person to leadDurham as we seek to make our city one of the safest in thestate," Conner said. "Scott was outstanding at every point duringthe interview process, with the assessors, with the policedepartment employees and with the citizens."
The decision came two days after Conner eliminated a thirdcandidate, Marvin Evans, 52, commander of the Newport News, Va.,Police Department's Criminal Investigations Bureau. The three werechosen from among 54 applicants and passed rigorous background andfingerprint checks.
The search was the city's second since August, when GregoryWatkins, a retired Kansas City, Mo., deputy chief, backed out afterit was revealed that two of his five ex-wives had sought domesticviolence protective orders against him.
Scott said he plans to keep interim chief Steve Chalmers on as one of his deputy chiefs. The city's first search took nearly eight months and cost $25,000, but the city was reimbursed $8,500 since it ended without a chief. This time, the city spent about $7,000 and the process took more than two months.
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