Monticello will have a new top cop in July.

The board of aldermen officially accepted the retirement ofPolice Chief Willard Griffin Tuesday and named officer DavidStanley as the new chief. The change becomes effective at the endof June.

Mayor David Nichols said the board received five applicationsfor the job. Two were from within the department.

The board discussed the applications in executive session andnamed Stanley as chief when they emerged. The board also promotedCharles White, a 22-year MPD veteran, to captain.

Stanley has 24 years experience as a Monticello law officer. Hestarted as a summer intern in his last year of study at theUniversity of Southern Mississippi. He obtained his bachelors ofscience degree in criminal justice from the school in 1982.

“I’m very proud and honored that the mayor and board of aldermenhave entrusted me with the job as chief and to lead thisdepartment,” he said.

Stanley said he never thought of himself as a potentialchief.

“Willard has been here the entire time I have. I never picturedmyself working here without Willard as chief,” Stanley said. “It’slike the end of an era.”

Griffin said he has no doubts Stanley is capable of running thedepartment.

“I think they made the right choice. He deserves it,” Griffinsaid.

The chief said he was also glad aldermen chose an officer fromwithin the department to lead it.

“We have men here with more than 20 years experience and theycan handle the job,” Griffin said.

It helps, he said, to have a department led by men alreadyfamiliar with departmental policy and who know the people.

Griffin leaves a legacy at Monticello with more than 36 years inthe department. He started in 1967 as a patrolman and was promotedin 1971 to assistant chief, serving under Chief Earl Smith. He wasnamed chief in 1978.

“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been good,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot ofchanges, but it’s time for me to go while I still have myhealth.”

Stanley and White received an increase in salary to go withtheir promotions. Stanley will receive $250 and White $100 moreeach month to compensate for their increased responsibilities andduties.