James McElvain, who was hired by City Manager Eric Holmes to be the new chief of the Vancouver Police Department, was sworn in Monday at City Hall.
McElvain was chosen from a pool of about 60 applicants after a nationwide search.
He replaces interim Police Chief Chris Sutter, who also was a finalist for the job. Sutter, an assistant chief, has been leading the department since Cliff Cook resigned last year after announcing he and Holmes agreed that the department needed “fresh leadership.”
McElvain previously worked as a captain with the Riverside County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Department, which ranks among the 50 largest agencies nationwide with approximately 2,400 sworn officers.
Vancouver has 180 sworn officers.
McElvain will earn $150,000 a year.
