Mayor appoints new San Diego police chief

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Following a rigorous nationwide seek for San Diego’s new police chief, Mayor Todd Gloria introduced his choose for the following particular person to guide the division at a information convention Thursday.

Assistant Chief Scott Wahl has been appointed as SDPD’s latest Chief of Police, Gloria mentioned Thursday. He was chosen out of 56 finalists who went by way of an intensive course of that started in November.

The choice course of consisted of neighborhood boards in every of the 9 metropolis council districts, a nationwide search and vetting by 21 neighborhood leaders, in line with a launch from the Metropolis of San Diego.

In accordance with Gloria, Wahl is a local San Diegan who has labored for SDPD for 25 years. He’s additionally the son of a San Diego police officer.

For 3 years of his profession, Wahl additionally served because the division’s spokesperson, and he helped launch the division’s Neighborhood Policing division which handles points comparable to homelessness, psychological sickness and drug dependancy.

Wahl’s appointment comes after the town’s present police chief, David Nisleit, introduced his retirement in June.

The transition in new management comes amid staffing challenges and enforcement of the homeless encampment ban within the metropolis.

“My imaginative and prescient is to construct an inclusive group that’s reflective of the town that we serve,” Wahl mentioned. “I like the town. I like this division. I’m right here as a result of I wish to make a distinction in our neighborhood. I’m right here as a result of I wish to make a distinction within the lives of the women and men who come to work every day to guard and serve all of you. I grew up the son of a San Diego police officer doing this job is all I’ve ever needed to do.”

He’ll must be formally confirmed by nearly all of the town council.