Santos

CAIRO — Police investigator Giovannie Santos has been named interim police chief for the City of Cairo.

City Manager Chris Addleton announced his decision to promote Santos before the entire city police department Wednesday morning.

Santos has served as a police investigator with the force for almost 24 years.

“He was the best qualified,” Addleton said.

The need for an interim chief was created Tuesday after former police chief Keith Sandefur was arrested on two counts of felony theft by conversion.

A statement from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Sandefur is accused of purchasing property and charging it to the City of Cairo. The property was given to civilian associates of Sandefur and has since been recovered by the GBI.

A spokesperson for the GBI said the exact nature of the property Sandefur is accused of purchasing illegally cannot be released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Sandefur submitted his resignation Tuesday afternoon and will officially retire from the department Dec. 31.

Addleton said the city council will likely wait until after the new year to begin the interview process for a permanent police chief.