The mayor of Elkhart has named a new permanent replacement for a police chief who resigned under fire.

Mayor Tim Neese on Friday named 21-year police veteran Chris Snyder to replace Ed Windbigler, who resigned Dec. 10.

Snyder has served previously as a lieutenant, as the northern Indiana department’s spokesman and, most recently, as a detective assigned to the Elkhart County Homicide Unit.

Neese said in a news release that Snyder “is well-known and respected throughout the community for his professionalism and transparency. During his years of service to the department, he has also earned the trust of his colleagues and other city staff.”

Windbigler resigned while serving a month-long unpaid suspension after understating the severity of the Jan. 12 incident in which two officers beat a handcuffed man.

Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese released the following statement:

ELKHART (January 4, 2019) – Mayor Tim Neese announced Friday that Chris Snyder – a 21-year veteran of the Elkhart Police Department – has been appointed the City’s new Chief of Police.

In total, 16 candidates – from a range of agencies – applied and interviewed for the position.

“Chris is well-known and respected throughout the community for his professionalism and transparency,” Neese said. “During his years of service to the Department, he has also earned the trust of his colleagues and other City staff.”

Snyder most recently served as a detective with the Elkhart County Homicide Unit. Prior to taking on this role, he served as Public Information Officer for the Elkhart Police Department under two City administrations.

“I am confident that Chris has the experience and leadership to see this department forward and believe that under his guidance, we will see increased training within the Department, leading to higher morale amongst officers, as well as improved relationships with the community they serve,” Neese added.

Snyder will oversee a Department of 160 employees, including 134 sworn officers, and an annual budget of over $20.5 million.

Snyder will assume the role of Chief of Police effective Monday, January 7.