MORRISVILLE, N.C. — Morrisville officials have appointed one of their own to be the town's next police chief.

Ira Jones was sworn in as chief Monday at an official ceremony at Town Hall.

Jones was chosen from a pool of approximately 40 applicants. The selection panel consisted of Town Manager John Whitson, Assistant Town Manager Tony Chiotakis and Human Resources Manager Helen Dicken.

Jones' law enforcement career began in 1991 with the North Carolina State University Police. Since 1999, he has been a member of the adjunct faculty at Wake Technical Community College, where he instructed Basic Law Enforcement Training classes.

Jones has served the Morrisville Police Department for 10 years as Patrol Sergeant and team leader for the Special Operations Response Team.

His grandfather, Jim James Jones II, was the first black police chief in North Carolina.