NATCHEZ — After officially accepting the retirement of Natchez Police Department Chief Daniel White, the Natchez Board of Aldermen appointed NPD Lt. Shawn T. King to serve as interim chief today at the board’s meeting.

Following a motion to terminate White by a Natchez alderman at a specially called meeting last Thursday, White announced plans to retire the next day. White officially submitted his retirement papers Monday.

Mayor Darryl Grennell recommended to the board that King, who has been employed at NPD since 2004, serve as interim chief. King most recently served as a patrol shift commander.

The board voted to task the Civil Service Commission with leading the search for a new chief. Grennell said he hopes a new chief can be in place sometime in July, but said he does not want to rush the process to ensure the right person is appointed.