ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has named Robert Tracy as its next police chief.

Tracy’s selection marks the first time an incoming St. Louis Chief of Police takes comes from another police department outside of St. Louis. He joins the department out of Wilmington, Delaware.

“Although I’m not from St. Louis … I know in a short time, this city will feel like home to me,” said Tracy. “Together, we will make a difference. I’m excited to get started.”

Tracy has more than 36 years of law enforcement experience. In addition to his experience in Wilmington, he also served with New York City and Chicago police departments.

In a news conference Wednesday, Tracy says his department help reduce violent crime in Wilmington by 50% over a five-plus year stretch.

“Police work is my noble profession, it’s my calling, it’s what I was meant to do,” said Tracy.

Around 40 candidates applied in a competitive national search for a new police chief, according to the mayor’s office. What started as a pool of four candidates narrowed down to two by Tuesday.

Michael Sack, who has held the role on an interim basis after the retirement of John Hayden, notified colleagues Tuesday that he had not been selected. One day earlier, Melron Kelly, a police deputy chief from Columbia, South Carolina, withdrew his candidacy on Monday. Larry Boone of Norfolk, West Virginia was the other finalist.

Tracy, Boone, Sack and Kelly all spoke at a town hall last week. Among the big topics discussed at that meeting included crime and gun violence, the city’s homicide rate and building trust in the community.

“We really have to have a plan that’s transparent and actually put it up on a website because the informed community is the one that is going to help us the most,” said Tracy in last week’s town hall meeting.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.