Executive Assistant Chief of Police James Isom will take over as the interim chief of police starting May 1, a University spokeswoman said Wednesday, just three weeks before current UPD Chief Dolores Stafford is slated to step down.

University spokeswoman Michelle Sherrard said Isom is slated to take over after Stafford steps down on April 30, adding that the search for a permanent police chief will continue, Sherrard said.

Stafford announced in October her plans to retire after serving for 18 years at GW. She told The Hatchet previously she plans to live in Delaware and to work part time for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators when she leaves the University.