Ringgold has narrowed it search for a new police chief to three finalists, from a field of more than 30 applicants.

Charles Land recently retired after 35 years as head of the Ringgold Police Department.

The finalists are Ringold police Sgt. Wilborn Dycus, currently serving as interim police chief; Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Daniel Bilbrey; and Fort Oglethorpe Police Department officer Steve Blevins.

More than 30 people applied for the position after Land stepped down June 16.

Bilbrey has been with the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Offfice since 1996 and oversees the detective division. He served as a deputy sheriff, a general case detective, and a narcotics detective in his time with the Sheriff’s Office. He also worked for the Waterford Police Department in Waterford, Calif., from 1988 to 1996.

Blevins, a 1976 graduate of Tyner High School, has been with the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department since 1989. He serves as a watch commander. Blevins also worked for the Tunnel Hill Police Department from 1987-89.

Dycus joined the Ringgold Police Department in 2001 after working for the Cohutta Police Department from 1992 to 2001 and the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office from 1987 to 1992.

Each candidate has 20-plus years experience in law enforcement. Each also has recognition awards and letters of recommendation from numerous peers and employers.

According to city manager Dan Wright, the final candidate will be chosen and revealed next month.

“We have three very qualified candidates for the position, and I’m sure that after the process is completed, we’ll have the best person for the job in there,” Wright said.