In the wake of Police Chief Randy Heston’s retirement, Langley has tabbed one of its own as his temporary replacement.

Officer David Marks was appointed as Langley’s acting chief of police Thursday. The Civil Service Commission certified Marks as a qualified officer to lead the department for up to six months.

The acting chief will be responsible for policing Langley and gathering data to assist the mayor and city council in determining the size and scope of police services in the city, according to a release sent by Mayor Fred McCarthy.

That information will be used to determine the size of the police department, which was increased from two to three full-time officers and a police chief earlier in the year.

“I have every confidence in Chief Marks to fulfill the role of acting chief,” McCarthy wrote in the release. “He has an outstanding background and experience and will follow predecessors Chief Randy Heston and Chief Bob Herzberg who were examples of leadership in ‘community policing.’”

The Langley City Council is expected to confirm the mayor’s appointment at its next meeting Aug. 19.