COLUMBUS, Neb. — The City of Columbus appears poised to promote from within for its next police chief.

Mayor Jim Bulkley announced the tentative appointment of Bret Strecker to the position on Thursday. The city council will need to give final approval on Monday.

Strecker has been with Columbus Police since 1994 and had been serving as interim chief since July 31. He succeeds Al Fear, who resigned as chief after just just two and a half months on the job. Strecker had served as interim chief from February to May following the retirement of longtime chief Charles Sherer.

“Sergeant Strecker has been a great leader within the department and in the community,” city administrator Tara Vasicek said in February.