Drew Tracy has been appointed interim police chief of Takoma Park while the search is under way to replace retiring police Chief Ronald Ricucci.

City Manager Barbara Matthews announced the appointment in a press release issued late Thursday.

The release said Tracy has more than 29 years of law enforcement experience, including four years as the district commander of the Montgomery County Police Department's Silver Spring District. In September 2011, at the rank of assistant chief, he retired from Montgomery County police.

Ricucci's retirement takes effect July 31. The new police chief will be selected by late August or early September.

dtallman@gazette.net