The Lakeway Police Department held a meet and greet to welcome Chief Glen Koen to the community Dec. 2. The casual come-and-go event allowed community members to meet the chief and visit several tables with members from each police unit explaining their operations.

Koen was approved at a council meeting Nov. 1 following a monthslong hiring process. Prior to his most recent work with the Mukilteo Police Department in Washington state as assistant police chief, Koen also served in several positions in the University of Texas Police Department, according to a Lakeway press release.

"We are thrilled to have Chief Koen as part of the Lakeway Police Department and team here with the city of Lakeway," Lakeway City Manager Julie Oakley said in a statement. "His extensive experience in law enforcement and many years working in Central Texas will make for a smooth transition into this role as he takes over the leadership of our many great officers and staff at the Lakeway Police Department."

Koen's first day on the job was Nov. 22. The city created a special committee to assist with the hiring process, which had over 40 applicants. A community survey was sent out over the summer to assess what qualities the community wanted from their next chief of police, according to the press release.