Michael Clancey, Chief of Police in Westerville, Ohio, has been selected to head the College Station Police Department.

Clancey’s appointment, effective February 1, was announced Tuesday afternoon by College Station City Manager Tom Brymer. He will replace Edgar Feldman, who is retiring January 31 after almost 40 years with the College Station Police Department.

“We are very excited to have Mike join our team,” said Brymer. “There was a field of excellent candidates, but after completing a rigorous process, it was clear he is the one to lead our Police Department into the future.”

Brymer added that following in Edgar Feldman’s footsteps is not an easy task, but he is confident Clancey will be able to take over the department without missing a step.

The selection followed a national search that provided an opportunity to identify top individuals throughout the state and country that best suited the community’s needs.

Serving as Chief of Police in Westerville since 1999, Clancey began his law enforcement career in 1979 as a uniformed patrol officer in Alexandria, Va., working his way up the ranks to Captain and Commander of the Planning and Automated Systems Division. He retired in 1999 from the Alexandria police force, then moved to Ohio to accept the Westerville Chief’s position.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from American International College in Springfield, Mass., and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University.