Deputy police chief Stephens will serve as acting Cedar Rapids chief

Deputy Police Chief Dick Stephens will serve as acting police chief while the city conducts a national search for a new chief, the city reported on Friday.

Police Chief Greg Graham's last day was Friday. Graham, who joined the Cedar Rapids department as chief two weeks before the city's June 2008 flood, is returning from where he came, Ocala, Fla., to head up that city's police department.

Stephens has served on the Cedar Rapids Police Department for 40 years and has served as acting chief in the past.

City Manager Jeff Pomeranz has said the city will conduct a national search for Graham's replacement, a search that he said will include current members of the department.

Two department captains, Steve O'Konek and Bernie Walther, were finalists in 2008 with Graham.