Police sergeant and West Tisbury selectman Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter withdrew his name for consideration for the position of police chief at Wednesday’s selectmen’s meeting.

A week after the board voted to refer the question of Mr. Manter’s eligibility for the position to legal counsel, Mr. Manter, sporting a medal from Sunday’s Bay State Marathon, simplified the process by submitting his withdrawal in a very brief statement.

“Thank you for not incurring any more legal expenses in this matter,” said selectman Richard Knabel, who noted that the town had hoped to conclude the search process last week. “Now we can go forward.”

Last week Mr. Manter said that he would announce at this week’s selectmen’s meeting whether he would resign as selectman to pursue the position or give up his candidacy for a job that has been filled on an interim basis by Dan Rossi since former police chief Beth Toomey’s retirement in April.

With Mr. Manter’s withdrawal the West Tisbury police chief search narrows to three candidates: current acting police chief Dan Rossi; Canton, Conn., deputy police chief Donald B. Hull; and Christian Pedoty, lieutenant of police for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York city.

Pending the availability of the candidates, the selection process will continue on Friday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. with a public forum in which the candidates will each prepare a presentation on a topic chosen by the search committee and the board of selectmen, followed by interviews with the selectmen on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Knabel suggested the selectmen try to reserve the Howes House for the occasion.

Mr. Manter said that he plans to attend the sessions and asked for access to all relevant information regarding the search. He has recused himself from the decision-making, however, and will not formally participate as part of the board.