Extra

The Bay Area Rapid Transit will be appointing former Berkeley police chief Daschel Butler to lead its police force on a temporary basis. 

BART General Manager Dorothy Dugger announced Tuesday that she had selected Butler to serve as interim chief while the agency conducts a nationwide search to replace BART Police Chief Gary Gee, who will retire Wednesday. 

Butler's appointment will be effective after he clears the state Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) administrative requirements, which Dugger expects will take place in mid-January. 

Butler, who joined the Berkeley Police Department in 1971, became Berkeley police chief in 1991, retiring in May 2002. 

“Daschel served the Berkeley Police Department as its chief for 12 years with distinction and honor,” Dugger said in a statement. “He brings to BART a wealth of knowledge, respect and integrity. I'm pleased he's agreed to lead the BART Police Department on an interim basis until we find a permanent police chief.” 

Gee announced plans to retire in the wake of the shooting death of Oscar Grant by a BART police officer one year ago. 

BART Police Department Commander Maria White will serve as acting chief until Butler is sworn in. 

BART is asking the public to weigh in on the qualities and experience they would like to see in a new chief by completing an online survey at www.bart.gov/policechief.