Thirty-one people have so far applied for the position of St. Ignace police chief and the city council will decide how the hiring process will proceed at its meeting Monday, December 7.

Council expects to hire a new police chief before the end of the year to replace Tim Matelski, who will retire January 1.

The deadline for applications was Wednesday, December 2, and City Manager Eric Dodson said the city received 31 applications as of Tuesday, December 1.

Council members will decide which of the applicants will be asked for an interview, where and when interviews will take place, and if multiple rounds of interviews will be necessary. The hiring of any city department head is up to the governing body of the city, and discussion and decisions on the hire must be made in public meetings.

Mr. Dodson said the city is looking both inside and outside the police department for a candidate, has three applicants from within the department, and will be looking for someone who is a good manager, highly organized, proficient in public relations, and who has training and experience necessary to manage a police department.

City Council meetings are open to the public the first and third Monday of each month at St. Ignace City Hall. The next meeting is 8 p.m. Monday, December 7.