Makai Echer, a captain in the Ankeny Police Department, has been appointed interim police chief, according to a release. The appointment was effective Dec. 25, continuing through the recruitment process and until a new police chief is hired. Echer started with the Ankeny Police Department in 1995 as a patrol officer and was promoted to sergeant in 2001 and lieutenant in 2008. In 2011, she was the first woman to be named captain, which is the second-highest ranking in the Ankeny Police Department. Echer now becomes the first woman to serve as interim police chief in the department. She succeeds Gary Mikulec, who announced his plans for retirement in September.