Then there were four. The search committee tasked with finding the Capital City’s next police chief handed four names to the Mayor for consideration. Britt Godshalk has been following the process every step of the way and checked back in with the four men who will move on to the next phase.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- After 48 resumes from across the country, John Pikus, Steven Krokoff, John King and Jamie Fields are the city's final four in the search for Albany's next police chief.

"Anytime you have competition, the city is going to benefit from it because you have a wide range of ideas and experiences," said King.

Two men are from hundreds of miles away and two are from our own backyard. As special agent in charge of the FBI's Albany Field Office, John Pikus has 20 years of experience with the bureau. He conducted reviews of the use of force by FBI agents for potential civil rights violations and was picked to lead the team who identified the 9/11 attackers. So, why leave that position?

"The challenge to improve an organization," said Pikus.

Steven Krokoff, the youngest nominee, has headed the department since September, when then Chief James Tuffey left his post amid allegations he used a racial slur when referring to a case.

"I have run a 43 million operation with 500 plus employees for the last eight plus months," said Krokoff. "And I think my effort and my work history speaks for itself."

Even his competition welcomes his hat in the ring.

"I think that's an important consideration that someone from the agency be considered," said King.

"I think it's more the quality of what you've done than necessarily the time you've done it," said Fields.

But Nominee Jamie Fields says he comes with quality and quantity.

"I think I just have a very broad range of experience," said Fields.

Fields was the Deputy Chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2005 to 2009 and served as commanding officer of the Office of Civil Rights. Nominee John King is the former Chief of Police in Gaithersburg Maryland, not far from Washington DC. There, he implemented a beat plan for officers and bolstered community outreach. They both say an outsider could bring fresh perspective.

"You don't have any allegiances with any person or group and it helps you with that professional transition," said King.

That may help on the hot seat. For the first time in the city's history, the Mayor's ultimate pick must face common council confirmation hearings.

"I'm used to being in the hot seat," said Krokoff.

"I think the more inclusive you can be the better any process is," said King.

"Anything that comes up, your cards are on the table," our reporter asked Pikus.

"Yes," he said.

'I just look forward to it," said Fields.

But first, the Mayor will conduct one on one interviews with those nominated by the search committee in the next couple of weeks.

To find out more about the finalists and the search process, visit APD Chief Search section.