The Hamilton Police Services Board has appointed Paul Hamilton as the new Deputy Chief of Police.

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who is also the chair of the board, made the announcement Monday at Central police station.

“This is an exciting day for our service and concludes an extensive recruitment process that involved diverse candidates from both in and outside of Canada, to determine the best individual to support us in fulfilling our mission to serve and protect the citizens of Hamilton,” Eisenberger said.

Hamilton, a 31-year member of the service, officially begins his new position today.

He has a wide variety of experience within the police force such as holding the position of acting deputy chief of support services and superintendent in the investigative services division.

Hamilton was also the leading investigator in several major cases that partnered with domestic and international law enforcement agencies.

Hamilton studied sociology and criminology at the University of Ottawa.