The City of Phoenix is starting the process to hire a new police chief after Daniel Garcia was fired from the position last month. The search is expected to escalate after the Valley hosts the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

Phoenix police spokesman Trent Crump said recruiting a new police chief will probably be a slow and methodical effort. He said the timeline is really up to Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher, Mayor Greg Stanton and city council.

"In the meantime, what people need to know is that the current acting police chief Joe Yahner has been here almost 30 years and he’s been here through many large events, including the Super Bowl in 2008," Crump said. "That truly is our focus right now and I believe it is the city’s focus right now to make sure that we get through this event."

The city manager asked Yahner to lead the department right after Daniel Garcia was fired in December for insubordination. Garcia held a news conference defying the city manager’s direct order not to do so. 

The Phoenix Police Department is among the largest in the nation with almost 2,900 officers.