Updated Nov. 13 at 5:24 p.m. with a statement from Elon University.

Elon University's Director of Campus Safety and Police Dennis Franks has been named the next chief of police in Stallings, North Carolina — the town announced over Facebook on Nov. 6. Franks will take the new role on Jan. 6, 2020. According to university spokesman Owen Covington, Franks' last day serving in his role at Elon will be Jan. 2, 2020. 

In the interim, Major Doug Dotson will be filling the position left by Franks.

Covington said a 10-person search committee made up of Elon faculty, staff and students will conduct the search for the new permanent director of campus safety and police.

Dennis Franks

“I’m excited to get started working for the citizens of Stallings as the Police Chief of an already excellent department,” Franks said in a statement released by Stallings. “I’m looking forward to building strong community relationships and working with elected officials, staff, and citizens.”

Stallings town manager Alex Sewell said Franks was exceptional in the assessment portion of the selection process and that he "exhibited the characteristics essential in the Police Chief." 

Franks will be replacing Minor Plyler who became chief of police in 2012.

Franks previously resigned from his position at Elon in May 2018. He had taken a job as the vice president of protective services for Bank of America. Franks returned to his Elon post on July 2, 2018 after requesting his position back. 

An email sent by Gerald Whittington, then-senior vice president for business, finance and technology, and Bob Shea, then-associate vice president for business, finance and technology said that the culture of Elon was "something that [Franks] really didn't want to leave."