A former San Diego Police Department Captain has been hired to serve as the new police chief for a city in Humboldt County.

The Eureka City Council voted unanimously to bring on Andrew G. Mills.  He will take the helm of the Eureka Police Department during the first week in November.

He thanked the mayor and council members for their nod of confidence, saying he hopes they understood that he would make sure he upheld the trust they placed in him 24-hours a day, 365-days a year.

The search for the new Eureka Police Department Chief has reportedly been more than 24-months in the making.  They've been without an official leader since Garr Nelson was terminated in June of 2011.

Mayor Frank Jager has previously described Mills as being a second to none candidate.   The former SDPD Captain has extensive experience in building community coalitions and has a strong commitment to community oriented policing.

This style forges ongoing relationships between business leaders, Neighborhood Watch Groups, residents, faith based groups and schools in order to address crime and be proactive in addressing quality of life issues.

San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald said she is very sad to see him go.  She described Mills as being excellent as his job and as a very good police officer.   He was applauded for his ability to earn the trust of the people he serves.

Officers who served under him, she said, were always honest, respectful and very responsive.

Mills was first hired with the SDPD in the early 1980s.  He has been serving in the role of captain for about two years.   Colleagues point out that he has lectured extensively about community based policing in cities throughout the United States.

Those within the Eureka Police Department say they are very happy to have him on board.   Everyone is very much looking forward to November, they said.