After 8 months of searching, Centerville leaders appointed a 22-year law enforcement veteran, Ronald Rodgers.
"Congratulations and welcome to the city," said one Centerville resident who came to meet Rodgers for the first time.
City council members voted him in unanimously Thursday afternoon.
"We were looking for someone who had at least ten years of police experience," said Councilman Michael Evans.
Rodgers exceeded their precedent. He's been a lawman for 22 years, from working in Macon, to heading the police department in Marshallville.
He wants to focus heavily on strengthening the bonds between his staff and the people in Centerville.
"I'm going to have a more personable relationship with citizens, and if I'm going to have a personal relationship, then I am expecting everyone else to do the same thing," said Rodgers.
He's also ready to beef up training within the department.
Now that the nearly yearlong gap is filled, Captain Chuck Hadden says he's glad to have a boss again, "good things are on the way for us."
13 people applied for the position, and five went through the interview process.
