Frank Fowler will serve as Syracuse’s police chief next year — despite previously saying he would retire at the start of 2018 — as Mayor-elect Ben Walsh searches for his replacement.

Fowler, in 2016, said he would retire as outgoing Mayor Stephanie Miner left office. But in a press release issued Wednesday, Walsh said a national search for the new police chief is expected to conclude by the end of 2018. In the meantime, Fowler will stay on the force.

Joseph Cecile, the Syracuse Police Department’s first deputy chief, has also agreed to remain in his position throughout 2018, Walsh said. The mayor-elect on Wednesday announced the appointment of three new SPD deputy chiefs: Capt. Lynette DelFavero, Sgt. Derek McGork and Capt. Richard Shoff.

“I am fully confident the department leadership will be responsive to the needs of the community as we complete our search,” Walsh said.

Walsh also said he would authorize a new class of SPD officers to fill 25 of the 30 vacancies funded by the Common Council in the city’s current budget, according to the release.

Police vacancies were a hot-button issue on the campaign trail during the mayoral race this fall. The mayor-elect, at the time, said he would hire more officers to cut down on SPD overtime costs.