The current UK Police chief search will close Thursday, said Assistant Vice President for Public Safety Anthany Beatty.

In a March 10 Kernel article, UK had 60 to 70 applications  awaiting review.  Beatty said those are still on file and have been reviewed.

“Preliminary reviews were done on all of those (applications),” Beatty said. “We are closer … we will be looking at applicants as they apply.”

The current interim chief of police, Maj. Joe Monroe, has been at the position for more than three years. In a Sept. 23 interview with UK President Lee Todd, Todd said he assumed Monroe would be a candidate for the position.

“I think Joe’s done a very good job the time he has been in this position … Joe was a candidate previously and I assume he will be a candidate this time, as well,” Todd said.  “But we do need to get that locked down because Joe’s been interim for three years.”

In the same article, Beatty said Monroe’s leadership abilities have nothing to do with the still-vacant position.

When the search closes Thursday, Beatty said he expects a decision will be reached quickly.

“Once we work through everything we need, it will be a pretty smooth, quick transition,” Beatty said.

Finding the right candidate for the position has made the ongoing search a long one.

“I’ll stick to what we’ve always said: We want to find the best person for the chief of police,” Beatty said.  “(Considering) all the cautions and concerns to make sure we get the right person.”