An Evanston Police Department official will leave his position to become the next police chief for Manhattan, Illinois, the village’s mayor and village board announced Tuesday.

A selection panel and the village board chose Joseph Wazny, Jr., EPD’s deputy chief of field operations, over 48 other applicants, according to Manhattan. The village is located in Will County.

Wazny, who has worked in law enforcement for 27 years, will replace the village’s current police chief Harold Martin III. Martin has held the position since December 2011.

The village board was impressed by Wazny’s knowledge of the Manhattan community and focus on continuing community-oriented programs, according to the village.

EPD Cmdr. Jay Parrott will fill the position vacated by Wazny, the department announced Thursday. Parrott’s promotion to deputy police chief will be effective Jan. 12.

This post was updated at 5:55 p.m. on Thursday.

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