After serving the city of Selma for 30 years in the police Department, Chief John Brock is retiring, according to Mayor Darrio Melton.

The announcement was made Monday afternoon by Melton’s office. Brock will retire from the department effective Jan. 1, 2017.

“That commitment to the city speaks volumes in regards to what he gave to this city. Being in law enforcement is a service that takes special people to do, and we have been blessed in Selma to have Chief John Brock to be a part of our law enforcement over these 30 plus years.”

Melton said Captain Johnny King will serve as interim police chief until a search is concluded for the department’s next leader. Melton said Brock is using some of his vacation days during the transition period.

“We just have to find ways to move forward as a city with the vacancy of his leadership,” Melton said.

“That’s our focus now in regards to how do we move forward and making sure that we provide the leadership in the police department that is greatly needed.”

Melton said the search for the city’s next chief will begin immediately, but no timetable has been set on when a decision will be made.

“Given that we just made this announcement [Monday] in regards to the chief’s retirement, there is not a timeline that we have on our calendar right now,” Melton said. “We’ve got to sit down and talk through that with my staff.”

Melton said he does not have anyone specific in mind to fill the position, and he will be open to any and all choices to run the department.

“We have no one in mind. We are open to the possibilities of who is the best person in regards to filling Chief Brock’s shoes to provide leadership over there,” Melton said. “That will be a process we will go through and be open to receiving all kinds of applications for that position. We will heavily vet those individuals who are interested in leading our city’s police department.”

Melton said he plans to sit down with his staff to determine what the city needs in its new police chief.

“Part of that conversation will be a collaborative effort of talking with individuals on what all we are going to be looking for in a new chief,” Melton said. “This is going to be a comprehensive effort in bringing in the right fit for our department.”

Brock was appointed chief Sept. 9, 2015, after former Police Chief William Riley took the same position in Inkster, Michigan.

When reached Monday night, Brock said he would make a statement Tuesday on his retirement.

When appointed, Brock said it was “always a dream” to serve as police chief.

Brock started working with the department as a teenager as a part-time dispatcher. He worked his way up the ranks over the years and was a lieutenant before being appointed chief.

Brock also played a role in getting a 10 percent raise for his officers and made that a focus during his time as chief.