The city of Lithonia has named a 24-year veteran of law enforcement as its next police chief.

Kennis R. Harrell, who previously worked for the DeKalb County police department, was selected out of 21 candidates, Mayor Tonya Peterson Anderson said Thursday. Harrell took over as chief on Monday, she said.

Harrell joined the DeKalb police force as an officer in 1986 and has since served as deputy chief, police major and police captain, Anderson said.

Harrell is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and holds a master's degree in criminal justice from Georgia State University.

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Rose Scott signals as Closer Look goes on air in the WABE studio. An Atlanta resident left WABE a $3 million donation, a boost after WABE lost $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (Ben Gray / AJC file)

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