CREST HILL – The Crest Hill Police Department will get a new leader later this month.

The City Council unanimously voted Monday to affirm Mayor Ray Soliman’s selection of Deputy Chief Ed Clark to be appointed interim police chief.

“Ed is highly qualified,” Soliman said Tuesday, adding that he thinks Clark will transition to the new role easily.

Chief of Police Dwayne Wilkerson submitted his retirement in May after eight years in the position and 30 years on the force in Crest Hill, Soliman said. Wilkerson’s last day will be Oct. 17, which is also the date Clark will start his interim duties.

The appointment of a police chief typically runs concurrent with the term of a mayor, Soliman said, as chiefs are appointed by a mayor with the council’s consent. Crest Hill’s next mayoral election is in April, so Soliman is waiting to see whether he is re-elected before choosing a more permanent leader for the department.

Soliman said he will treat the next six months as an evaluation period for Clark, and consider him for appointment as chief. Clark said Tuesday he is interested in the position. While serving as interim department head, Clark will continue to fulfill his deputy chief responsibilities.

Clark has worked for the Crest Hill Police Department for 18 years and during that time has served in the patrol and investigations divisions, and held the rank of sergeant, in addition to being deputy chief

His priorities for the department’s immediate future include overseeing budget planning for the 2016-17 fiscal year and day-to-day management of the department.

“I’m happy, but I also realize it’s a huge responsibility,” Clark said of being selected as interim chief.