PLACENTIA

City officials have begun their search for a new police chief and hope to have the position filled before April.

Chief Daryll Thomann will retire from his post April 3, after serving in the department for 31 years. He became chief in February 1997.

Marla Anderson, the city’s administrative services director, said no candidate has been considered for the post. But other city officials said otherwise.

“There’s a short list of two names and one of them works in the department,” Councilman Norman Z. Eckenrode said. He declined give the names.

Eckenrode said he expects City Administrator Bob D’Amato to hire a chief who believes in the concept of community policing and who will address the gang problem in the city.