West Point City Council has begun advertising for a new police chief, five months after current Chief David Kerr announced his retirement.

Kerr, who has been with the city 21 years and in law enforcement for 36, says he’ll stay with the city through the end of the year or until his successor is found.

The start of the search was delayed while city officials studied whether to hire a new chief or a public safety director who would run both the police and fire departments. City Manager Ed Moon eventually decided a new police chief would be the best fit for the city.

West Point also has been working with the state Police Chiefs Association to decide requirements for the job; the organization will continue to work with the city to identify potential candidates.

The police department has an annual budget of $1.5 million and employs 15 sworn officers and seven other employees, including 911 dispatchers and an animal control officer.

The full text of the job opening and its requirements is at www.cityofwestpointga.com. The job will be advertised until Dec. 4.

Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@lagrangenews. com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.