A 23-year veteran of law enforcement has been nominated to lead the Maine State Police.

Major William Ross, who currently serves as operations major for the state police, has been chosen by Gov. Janet Mills to become colonel, the highest-ranking position in the department.

“Major Ross is a dedicated law enforcement professional who exemplifies the Maine State Police’s values of integrity, fairness, compassion and excellence,” Mills said in a statement.

Ross, 50, joined the state police in 2002 and first patrolled York County. He was later promoted to detective and then sergeant of a major crimes unit that served York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties.

As head of the operations division, he oversees 285 of the 334 sworn officers in the Maine State Police.

The nomination will be reviewed by the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and the position requires Senate confirmation.

If confirmed, Ross will succeed former Col. John Cote, who retired Sept. 30.