The Edgartown select board will promote Lieut. Chris Dolby to police chief next week, picking the longtime Edgartown officer over two other finalists. 

The town has been searching for a replacement for Chief Bruce McNamee, who retired in September. Mr. Dolby has been serving as interim chief since October. 

The select board had the option of interviewing the three finalists during a public meeting, as many towns do, but unanimously voted Monday to move forward with appointing Mr. Dolby.

Eleven applications for the chief post were reviewed by Public Safety Consultants LLC, a firm hired by the town in October. The consultant previously aided in the search for the Oak Bluffs and Nantucket chiefs.

All of the applicants answered to writing prompts and participated in Zoom interviews with the consultant. The select board was not present for any of the interviews during the hiring process, according to town administrator James Hagerty.

The finalists underwent an all-day assessment on Dec. 21 at town hall, according to Mr. Hagerty. The assessment was designed to determine their knowledge, skill, ability and personality through a series of interviews and scenarios.

“Candidate Dolby finished [as] the top one,” Mr. Hagerty said.

Mr. Hagerty declined to name the other two finalists. 

Select board members Margaret Serpa and Arthur Smadbeck congratulated Mr. Dolby and planned to make the official appointment on Jan. 13. Select board chair Michael Donorama was not in attendance.

“We’re ready,” said Ms. Serpa.

“So am I,” Mr. Dolby responded.