A man who’s served nearly 25 years in a series of roles with the Grand Junction Police Department has been selected as the next chief of police.

Matt Smith succeeds Doug Shoemaker, who resigned to take a job as police chief in Denton, Texas.

Grand Junction City Manager Greg Caton announced Smith’s selection. “He was selected based on his experience in law enforcement as well as having a reputation as a strong, compassionate leader,” Caton said. “We believe his longstanding relationships will help create an environment of mutual trust and cooperation within the Grand Junction community.”

A field of 31 applicants was narrowed to three finalists: Smith; Andy Harvey, former chief of police for the City of Pharr, Texas; and Jim Hughes, former chief of police for the City of Maricopa, Ariz.

Smith served as interim police chief for three months and deputy chief for the past three years, overseeing the operations division.

He joined the department in 1999  and served as a sergeant and commander. He also worked as a detective on the Grand Valley Joint Drug Task Force as well as a special weapons and tactics officer.

He started his career with the Cortez Police Department and also served in the Navy.

He’s a member of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Research Forum and FBI National Academy Associates.