The Canton Police Department is accepting applications for a new assistant chief.

The previous assistant chief, Todd Vande Zande, was fired in August 2012 after refusing to resign his position. Allegations from Vande Zande's attorney Lance LoRusso claimed that the ouster was orchestrated by City Manager Scott Wood.

According to information available on the city's website, which was recently recognized for its transparency, the starting salary for the assistant chief position is $74,000. The full job posting for this position has been attached to this article.

Candidates for the position must have a bachelor's degree in police administration, criminal justice, or public administration. Candidates must also have ten years' experience in law enforcement, with an earned rank of Lieutenant or above.

Chief Robert Merchant, who was hired last May, told the Cherokee Tribune that the delay in hiring an assistant chief was due to Merchant's own need to attend police academy to update his law enforcement qualifications.

The department is also seeking three new police officers. Three new officers were hired in November, and have been sent to police academy in Austell, according to the Tribune.