DAYTON — The city is back to square one in its search for a new police chief after the two finalists for the job declined offers for different reasons.

        Mayor Ron Gunning said Monday one of the finalists, an officer from Ohio, indicated an interest in the job but didn't want to move from his home in the Greater Cincinnati area.

        “A chief has to live in the state, by law, so we ruled him out,” the mayor said.

        The other chief candidate, who Mr. Gunning said works for a Northern Kentucky police department, “received a better offer from his department and decided to stay there.”

        He did not identify either finalist.

        “We'll start all over,” Mr. Gunning said.

        “We'll go through the old applications, and we may go out and start the application process all over. We want solid candidates, and we intend to hire someone who plans to stay.”

        Former Police Chief Greg Aylor resigned in January after citing problems with the city council.

        Fred Hildebrant, the Dayton chief before Mr. Aylor from 1997-1999, was hired again but quit after two days following complaints from residents and some council members.

        Mr. Gunning said the city did hire a new city administrator, Gary Scott, former city administrator in Villa Hills and Independence.

        Mr. Scott replaces Dan Groth, who resigned to become city administrator in Crestview Hills.

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