Bridgeport city officials say the next chief of police will be a current member of the force.

Mayor Joe Ganim announced the selection committee has presented him with a list of three finalists for the position.

They are current acting Chief Rebecca Garcia, along with Capts. Lonnie Blackwell, and Roderick Porter.

The selections of Blackwell and Porter are noteworthy because both have been long-time critics of the past and current police department management.

Ganim says a 30-day "appeal window" is now open, in which the public will have the chance to comment on the three candidates before he makes a final decision.