WASHINGTON (AP) – A nearly 30-year veteran of the District of Columbia police department has been named the city’s new police chief.

Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the appointment of Peter Newsham (NOO-shum) on Thursday. Newsham had been serving as interim chief since Cathy Lanier’s departure in September to become the security chief for the National Football League.

Newsham was a longtime assistant chief to Lanier and often served as the public face of the department during major investigations.

City officials were happy with the job he was doing as interim chief, and no other serious contenders for the job emerged. Bowser said Thursday that she was especially pleased with Newsham’s leadership during the inauguration and the Women’s March on Washington.

His appointment is subject to approval by the D.C. Council.

The AP Wire. All rights reserved. (PHOTO: Metropolitan Police Department)