BOONEVILLE - After Monday's deadline to complete the application and interview process for Booneville's new police chief, a decision may be made at the Dec. 6 regular city board meeting.

The city received 10 applications from across the country for the position, said Mayor Joe Eaton, but only one applicant was local.

Interim Police Chief Michael Ramey was the local applicant.

"We got one resume from as far away as New Jersey," Eaton said, "and the closest one that was not local was Robinsonville."

Ramey was appointed interim chief on Sept. 1, after the Booneville city board voted in an Aug. 31 special session to fire Steve Bingham as chief, along with police dispatcher Will Rowsey.

Details of the firings could not be disclosed because they were subject to privacy laws that govern personnel matters, said city attorney Daniel Tucker.

Senior officers within the department were invited to apply for the interim police chief's position as well as the permanent job.

"We hope to appoint a chief at Tuesday's board meeting," Eaton said.

Ramey previously served as interim police chief in 2009 prior to Bingham's hiring, after the city did not reappoint former chief Tim Fortenberry.

Ramey is a captain of detectives with the department, a position he has held for the past 10 years. He served with the department from 1990 to 1992 before joining the Prentiss County Sheriff's office from 1992 to 1996.

The Marietta native returned to the Booneville Police Department in 1996, where he has served for the past 15 years.

lena.mitchell@journalinc.com