Canton City Manager Glen Cummins announced that Assistant Chief of Police Mark Mitchell (pictured) has been selected as the new Canton Chief of Police. Mitchell will take over January 1, 2015, following the retirement of current Canton Police Chief Robert Merchant at the end of this year.

Mitchell was selected for the position by an advisory committee, which included Merchant, Cummins, Mayor Gene Hobgood and city council member John Rust.

Mitchell graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., after earning a master's degree in criminal justice from Troy University. He began his career in law enforcement with the Newton County (Ga.) Sheriff's Office, where he earned the rank of captain in 2012. He has served as Canton Police's assistant chief since July 2013.