ROCKY MOUNT -- After a little more than two years on the job, Police Chief Erik Mollin is stepping aside to allow for new leadership in the department.

He will remain second in command as a captain, town officials announced Monday afternoon.

"It has been a pleasure to serve the citizens and council of Rocky Mount as their police chief," Mollin said in a news release. The decision was not easy, he said. "I look forward to the opportunity to work more closely with officers in their day-to-day duties and to work on projects to which a police chief cannot give full attention."

His new duties will include working with the patrol division and handling training, grant applications and crime-prevention projects.

"This move allows Chief Mollin to follow his own law enforcement interests and at the same time gives the town the opportunity to explore its priorities for the next law enforcement leadership, to solicit candidates who share those priorities and select a new chief," Town Manager James Ervin said in the release.

Mollin will continue to serve as chief until a replacement is found. According to the release, town administrators will work on a job description and goals for a new chief and advertise for potential candidates within six weeks.

"Chief Mollin's demeanor, integrity and leadership have helped our community's crime prevention efforts over the past three years and I am pleased that he will remain a strong leader within the police department," Ervin said in the release.

Speculation over Mollin's position with the department circulated for days before the announcement. Town officials and Mollin were tight-lipped about further reasons for the change and other possible changes in the department at Monday night's town council meeting.

Mollin, who has been with the department for 13 years, was promoted to police chief in 2007 after former Chief Richard "Butch" Jenkins retired.

Mollin graduated from Ferrum College and was a patrol sergeant when he was promoted.