Just three finalists remain in the hunt for a new Syracuse Police Chief.

But current Chief, Frank Fowler says there's only one man who deserves the job -- Deputy Chief, Joseph Cecile.

"I think the best person for this job, the best person for this city, the best person to lead this police department is first deputy chief Joe Cecile,” said Fowler.

He's not a stranger to the department.

In fact, he's served for more than 33 years and has been Deputy Chief since 2010.

"He's the person that's going to be the most qualified,” Fowler said. “He's the person that's going to be most vested."

But Cecile has competition from outside the state.

Chief Kamran Afzal who leads the Durango, Colorado Police Department, and Chief Kenton Buckner who is head of the Little Rock Police Department in Arkansas.

"I don't know anything about the other two candidates,” said Fowler. “I'm not interested in learning about the other two candidates."

That's because Fowler made it clear that Cecile has the most experience for the position:

"To successfully run an organization from an upper management perspective is institutional knowledge,” Fowler said. “A lot of things we do here is contingent upon past practices.

No matter who earns the seat, Fowler reminds residents that they are in safe hands.

"The chief of police is the leader of the police department, they set the vision,” said Fowler. “But the police work is done by the cops.  The men and women will continue to provide quality service to our community."

But he still hopes Cecile is next in line...

"I have blood, sweat and tears poured into this police department,” Fowler said. “I live in the city of Syracuse. I know what's best for this police department. I know what's best for the community in which I reside, and that person is First Deputy Chief Joseph Cecile."

To lead the city's police department.

Officials will choose the next police chief in the coming weeks.