The Selma police and fire departments will have interim leaders while the search continues for permanent replacements.

Mayor George Evans announced his plan for short-term chiefs during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Former police chief Robert Green will lead the police department once William Riley resigns next week. Riley has accepted a job near Detroit, Michigan after more than seven years in Selma.

Assistant fire chief Mark Walker will work alongside retiring chief Mike Stokes the next few weeks. Stokes will retire Sept. 1 after more than 25 years with the department.

Evans said both appointees are not interested in leading the departments full-time and will have short tenures.

“I plan in 30 days to have this over,” Evans said, referencing his timeframe in naming new chiefs.

The mayor said he would work with a committee, which would include three city council members, in processing applications.

Evans said applications from within the department will be taken for seven days. If no applicant is chosen from within the departments, an outside search will begin.

“If we can’t find one we are comfortable with, we will certainly open it up to a search,” Evans said.

Evans said more than five people have expressed interest to him in leading the fire department.