Lithonia selects new top cop

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.