Eric Hawkins says he's withdrawing from the search for the next Akron, Ohio, police chief.

Hawkins said Monday that "my heart and commitment remains with the City of Albany" in a statement concerning his withdrawal. He was one of four finalists for the job.

The chief, who has been Albany's police chief since September 2018, said a recruitment firm invited him to apply for the job.

"I look forward to continuing to work with this great community as we collaboratively enhance public safety and quality of life," Hawkins said.

"I look forward to continuing to work alongside him, his command staff, and the members of the Department to build upon the successes we have achieved together to enhance public safety, find and arrest violent individuals, and implement comprehensive policing reform," said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan in a statement.

Hawkins has been Albany's police chief since September 2018, when he came to the capital city from Southfield, Mich., where he also served as chief. In the last year, violent crime has continued to be an issue in the city, and there have also been protests against both police brutality in general and in his department's reaction to those protests.