Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh officials have narrowed the search for a new police chief to seven candidates, and City Manager Russell Allen said Friday that he hopes to bring in three finalists next month.

The short list was winnowed from about 50 applicants who responded to a nationwide search to replace former Chief Harry Dolan, who retired Oct. 1 after a 32-year career in law enforcement.

Deputy Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown has been serving as interim chief since Dolan's departure.

Allen said officials recently finished interviewing the seven candidates and will select three finalists, who will be announced in the next week or so. Those finalists will be invited to two meetings – one with police department employees and one with the public – by the end of January.

Allen said the city hopes to name a new chief by early February.