Rodney Monroe, chief of police in Richmond since February 2005, last night confirmed that 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 in an interview.

Monroe is believed to be one of three finalists for the Charlotte job, with one other finalist from within Charlotte's department and a candidate from Atlanta.

Monroe, appointed chief in Richmond by Mayor L. Douglas Wilder in February 2005, said he was approached about the Charlotte job in early April.

The chief said Wilder is aware of Charlotte's interest.

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

Monroe's success in Richmond has made him a highly desired candidate for other cities in need of a top cop. New Orleans, Orlando, Fla., and Philadelphia are among the cities that have considered Monroe.

Monroe said yesterday that he has been told that 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.

"I think Charlotte is one of those model cities that would be a great city to work for," he said. "And . . . Richmond has offered to me and provided to me for the past three and a half years, and the relationships within the community and with the men and women of this fine department would make it very very difficult to walk away from."

Monroe was one of 46 prospects on Charlotte's original list and one of eight interviewed last month. Charlotte City Manager Curt Walton selected the finalists.

A delegation of Charlotte officials visited Richmond on Friday to interview various city officials and civic leaders.

Walton, who planned to brief Charlotte City Council members last night on the status of his search, said he wants a new chief hired by June 1.

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.

Richmond City Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell, interviewed by Charlotte's search committee Friday, said she made clear that Richmond doesn't want to lose Monroe.

"I said, 'We got him, he's ours -- go get your own,' " Trammell recalled yesterday.

Trammell said she met individually with four Charlotte representatives, including Deputy City Manager Ronald R. Kimble and Human Resources Director Timothy D. Mayes.

The search committee also met with Carrie Cox, president of both the Greater Jefferson-Davis Civic Association and the Woodland Crossing Tenant and Civic Association in South Richmond.

Cox said Woodland Crossing was the first community Monroe visited after becoming chief. She said he has forged ties with the community and boosted morale in the department.

"No, you can't have him," Cox said she told the search committee.

Monroe's popularity is not limited to neighborhoods where crime has dropped. For example, he received a standing ovation when he went before the City Council in 2007 to ask for an increase in his department's budget.

Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6299 or jnolan@timesdispatch.com.

Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or jmacenka@timesdispatch.com.

Contact Michael Martz at (804) 649-6964 or mmartz@timesdispatch.com.