The Amarillo Police Department’s next Chief of Police has been named.

City of Amarillo officials named Martin Birkenfeld the next Chief of Police for APD on Friday. Birkenfeld is a native of Amarillo and has most recently served in the position of Assistant Chief of the Operations Bureau for APD.

Birkenfeld holds a degree from West Texas A&M University and is attending Center for Homeland Defense and Security - Naval Postgraduate School.

In a statement, Birkenfeld said he is looking forward to serving as APD’s Chief of Police.

“The Amarillo Police Department has been my career for 30 years. I consider it an honor and a privilege to lead the Amarillo Police Department, which has a standard of excellence and commitment to the community that I look forward to maintaining and improving,” said Birkenfeld.