CAIRO, Ill. -- Bobby Simmons has been appointed interim police chief here.

Simmons, also director of the federal public housing drug task force in Alexander County, was named by Mayor James Wilson to head the police department. He succeeds Harold Nelson, who will leave Saturday.

Nelson announced in May that he was leaving the position because of health reasons and family commitments. Nelson, a retired state policemen, joined the Cairo Police Department in February 1992 as assistant chief. He was named chief three months later.

Simmons, a Cairo policeman during the 1970s, has been director of the drug task force for about a year. Prior to that he was a special investigator in Wilson's office. Simmons also has served as a special agent for the Illinois Central Railroad.

Wilson said he thinks Simmons is a good choice for what he considered the biggest problem in the city: drugs and drug-related crime.

"I believe drugs and drug crimes are our most serious community problems," said Wilson. "I asked Simmons to take on the position of chief of police and lead a community crusade against these problems."

Whether Simmons is offered the job permanently depends on the city's efforts to maintain funding for the drug task force, said Wilson.

"Funding for that program will run out in September," said Wilson. "The Chicago office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development has rejected funds to continue that program, but Alexander County Housing Authority officials are appealing that decision."

Meanwhile, Simmons will serve as director of the drug task force while he serves as interim police force. The task force is overseen by Nelson and the city police department.

The mayor can change Simmons' appointment from interim to full-time chief at any time, but it would require approval by the City Council.

"He's (Simmons) a take-charge person," said Wilson. "If you give him a project, he takes it and does a good job. He's not a 40-hour-a-week person; he will put in whatever time is needed."

Simmons will work with Nelson this week.

"Nelson will introduce Simmons to various community groups and agency heads as well as show him some of the procedures of the police department," said Wilson.