Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner is a finalist in the search for a chief of police position in Olympia, Washington, he announced Friday.

"In the interest of protecting the integrity of the process, I will not be making public comments about the matter. However, I do feel it is appropriate you hear the news directly from me rather than a news article. I will keep you abreast of any significant decisions in the future," he said in a statement. 

Buckner added that while the process continues, he will "remain focused and committed to my responsibilities as the chief of police in Syracuse."

Buckner was named by Mayor Ben Walsh as Syracuse police chief in 2018 after the retirement of Frank Fowler. Before coming to Central New York, Buckner was police chief in Little Rock, Arkansas, and served with the Louisville Metro Police Department for 21 years prior to that. 

Walsh released a statement Friday, saying Buckner informed him of this development. 

"His communication reflects the open conversation about his career that we have had throughout his tenure," Walsh said. "Chief Buckner serves the City of Syracuse honorably and has earned a national reputation as a highly-competent and effective police chief. I have always recognized there would be a time when he would consider other opportunities. I accepted this notification with a clear understanding between us and a commitment from Chief Buckner that his focus, first and foremost, will be on his duties to the Syracuse Police Department and the people of this City. I have complete confidence that for as long as he is our chief, he will serve this city with excellence.”