BY JIM NOLAN, JOE MACENKA and MICHAEL MARTZ

Times-Dispatch Staff Writers

Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe tonight confirmed he is a finalist for the chief's job in Charlotte, N.C.

"I think it would be a good opportunity and I am seriously considering it," Monroe told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Monroe, Richmond's chief since February 2005, is believed to be one of three finalists for the Charlotte job. Monroe said he has been told Charlotte will make a decision within two weeks.

If the job is offered to Monroe, "Whatever decision I make would be both a professional decision and a personal decision," he said.

Violent crime in Richmond has dipped dramatically during the last three years, most significantly with a drop in the city's homicide rate, which last year hit a 25-year low of 55.

Monroe was one of 46 prospects on Charlotte's original list, and one of eight interviewed for the position last month.

Charlotte's police chief, Darrel Stephens, is retiring after eight years as the fast-growing city struggles with homicides, carjackings, shootings and other violent crimes. The department last month said violent crime increased 15.3 percent in the first quarter of 2008 over the same period a year earlier.

Walton has expressed an interest in hiring someone committed to community policing, a strategy Monroe has employed with success.

The Charlotte chief has an annual salary $163,909 -- about $1,500 a year less than Monroe earns in Richmond. The Charlotte chief oversees about twice as many officers as Richmond's 750, and the Charlotte department polices 713,000 residents, compared to 192,000 in Richmond.

Contact Jim Nolan at jnolan@timesdispatch.com

Contact Joe Macenka at jmacenka@timesdispatch.com

Contact Michael Martz at mmartz@timesdispatch.com