Several MSU police officers are moving through the ranks, as three officers received promotions within the department and one officer has accepted a position at an Ohio university.

Sgt. Alan Haller was promoted to lieutenant and Officer Jill Geile is moving to sergeant, both effective May 10.

Former Sgt. Douglas Monette was promoted to lieutenant, which took effect immediately, and Lt. John McCandless recently accepted the position as chief of police at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Haller said he's excited to get started at his new lieutenant position and is looking forward to putting his personality into supporting people.

"I don't plan to come in and change a lot of things until I'm able to determine who I'm working with, to kind of get to know personalities of people," he said.

Haller has been with the department since 1997, where he served as a patrol officer and a defensive tactics instructor.

In 2000, he was promoted to sergeant.

MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said officers apply for promotions and are then given a series of tests.

The announcements of the open positions were made in November and exams began in January.

That process includes a series of books and materials that have to be read, a written examination and an interview with individuals from both within and out of the department.

Geile, who joined the department in 1989, said she is "incredibly happy" with her promotion.

While she currently works an eight-hour shift, she is transitioning to the new position and is expecting a lot of changes.

"I'm looking forward to going back out on the road and going back to 12-hour shifts," she said.