Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum has chosen Deputy Police Chief Dennis Larsen as the next Tulsa police chief.

Larsen will replace outgoing Chief Wendell Franklin, who is set to retire from the police force at the end of July.

TPD said Chief Larsen will serve concurrently with Chief Franklin until Franklin’s retirement.

Larsen has been with the department for decades and currently serves as Deputy Chief over the Investigative Bureau.

“This job has been my passion since the first day I pinned on the badge.” Chief Larsen said. “I am incredibly honored to be chosen as Tulsa’s 41st Police Chief and look forward to serving Tulsa in this new role.”

Eight internal candidates applied for the job.

Larsen is a Tulsa native and graduate of East Central High School and Oklahoma State University.

Deputy Chief Larsen is a 45-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department.

Read more from the Tulsa Police Department here