Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Deputy Chief Harold Medlock was introduced Wednesday as the new chief of police in Fayetteville.

At a news conference, Medlock says he intends to start working in Fayetteville on Feb. 18. He said he has some administrative work to finish related to last September’s Democratic National Convention, and also has some other projects he’d like to work on before leaving Charlotte.

Medlock, who has worked for CMPD for much of the past three decades, was announced in December as one of two finalists for the Fayetteville job. But on Friday, the other finalist, Dallas police Deputy Chief Malik Aziz, told the Fayetteville Observer that he had been informed that he wasn’t selected for the position.

Fayetteville was searching for someone to replace Tom Bergamine, who retired last summer but had faced controversy surrounding the number of times that officers stopped and searched black drivers on city roads. Katherine Bryant has served as interim chief.

Medlock first joined Charlotte-Mecklenburg police as an officer in 1979. He worked briefly in the private sector before rejoining CMPD in 1993, where he has served in multiple roles such as sergeant, captain and major, according to his biography on the police department’s website.

Medlock was promoted to deputy chief in 2008, where he helps to oversee the department’s south, southeast, southwest and central divisions, special events, watch commanders and CMPD specialized units.

Most recently, Medlock oversaw security planning for the Democratic National Convention that was held in Charlotte last September.

Fayetteville leaders have said they were impressed by Medlock’s organizational and leadership skills during the DNC.

Medlock is a graduate of Pfeiffer University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a M.B.A., according to his biography. His also is involved in multiple organizations, including serving as a trustee of the CMPD Benevolent Fund and is first vice president of the N.C. Police Executives Association. Observer archives contributed