CAIRO — Giovannie Santos has been named Cairo’s new chief of police, the city announced Tuesday evening.

City Manager Chris Addleton said Santos has demonstrated dedication, commitment and professionalism in serving Cairo for more than 20 years.

“Above all else I have been humbled by the amount of support I have gotten from not only members within the Cairo Police Department, but also the community,” Santos said in a statement. “With my appointment as chief, my goal is always and above all else to be a service to the community and to continue making Cairo the special place it is. The Cairo Police Department is an excellent department filled with great people who really care about the community we serve.”

Since joining the police department in 1996, Santos has held positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as an investigator for five years and as interim police chief for the past six months following the death of former police chief Keith Sandefur in December.

An interview committee consisting of Addleton, former city HR manager Carolyn Robinson, current HR manager Sandra Roberts and Grady County Administrator Buddy Johnson, who himself has a background in law enforcement, spoke with three candidates from within the police department. Santos emerged from the interviews as the committee’s consensus choice.

“It was obvious that he could lead the department,” Addleton said.

Addleton said the move to name a full-time police chief would have been made sooner had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic, which delayed the committee’s interview process.

“I’m just glad that we can finally put some resolution in having a regular police chief now,” the city manager said.

Santos’ promotion does not require approval from the Cairo City Council.