Redmond received 42 applications for its police chief opening and the city hopes to announce a new top cop by May 1, according to Redmond Mayor John Marchione.

The application period closed Jan. 29 and the city is currently “rating them against our established criteria,” Marchione said. “After intial review, the top candidates will be interviewed over the phone to determine which finalists come to Redmond for panel interviews.”

Marchione said the city plans to interview the finalists face-to-face in mid-March, with background checks being held in April.

“We hope to announce a new police chief around May 1st,” Marchione said.

The search for the new police chief is being conducted by the city’s human resources department and not by a specialized firm.

Former longtime Police Chief Steve Harris retired at the end of March 2009 after 28 years of service to the Redmond community. Fire Chief Tim Fuller has served as the interim police chief as the city works to hire its next police chief.