FORT MYERS, Fla. - Fort Myers City Manager, William Mitchell has named Major Doug Baker, interim Police Chief.

On Monday night, Mitchell asked the city council to extend current Fort Myers Police Chief Hilton Daniels contract because it's taking longer than expected to find a suitable replacement for him.

Chief Daniels retires next week. 95 people have applied for his job, including Major Baker.

Mitchell had asked the city council to extend Daniels contract until his replacement is hired and ready to take over. But the city council was deadlocked.

Some wanted to keep Daniels on duty; other councilors wanted Mitchell to appoint an interim.

Late Tuesday afternoon, William Mitchell sent this note to Mayor Jim Humphrey and the City Council:

As you know, Police Chief Hilton Daniels officially will retire on July 30, 2008. The recruitment for his replacement will continue through the beginning of Chief Daniels' retirement.

I am pleased to announce my appointment of Police Major Douglas E. Baker as Interim Chief of Police effective August 1, 2008 until a new Police Chief is selected and reports for duty. Major Baker is a twenty-two year veteran of the Fort Myers Police Department and commands both the Operations and Investigations Bureaus f the Police Department.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

William P. Mitchell

Major Doug Baker takes over as interim Police Chief on August 1.