Lt. Sean Ford was appointed as the chief of police of Sunset Valley at City Council's Sept. 18 meeting.

Since the city started accepting applications in August, several people expressed interest in the position, according to Mayor Rose Cardona. A public safety committee interviewed applicants, chose the top candidates, deliberated during executive session and made its recommendation for the council's public vote.

"Of the six interviews that we did, every committee member was there," Cardona said. "The recommendation was unanimous and the person who was recommended was above and beyond anyone else."

The council's vote was also unanimous.

"People put in a lot of time on this, and it was a rather long process, and I'm really glad we got to where we got to," said Councilman Jeff Burdett, who was part of the committee. "I went in with a very open mind, and we actually had some pretty good candidates. I'm very comfortable with the decision the committee made."

Ford thanked the council and addressed the public during the meeting.

"My door is always open to anybody; it's the way I've always practiced for the 19 years I've been around," he said. "I look forward to the challenges that you give me and the challenges that I provide myself."

Ford has been involved in law enforcement since 1990, and has served in several areas including accident investigation, administration, communications and criminal investigations. He graduated from St. Edwards University with a bachelor's degree in public safety management and is set to graduate with a masters of public administration in December, he said.

Ford holds a master peace officer license, instructor license, master public information certification, advanced accident investigations license and has attended the Sam Houston State Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Command Staff Leadership Series.

Ford also served as interim police chief following the resignation of former chief of police Trisha Houston, City Administrator Clay Collins said. Houston resigned July 20 with a letter to the city citing personal reasons.

"We have been prepared because Chief Houston was involved in the military, was away for military leave, potential deployment, so we have a pretty good transition plan set up in the event that she was going to be away on military leave for some period of time," Collins said.