Niagara Falls has a new police chief.

Thomas Licata was sworn in Tuesday.

The former captain was appointed after a search committee spent more than a month looking to fill the job.

He takes over for Bryan DalPorto, who resigned at the end of last year.

Licata wants to keep the department moving forward, like he says his predecessor did.

But he has some changes in mind.

"I feel it's really important for us to make people that come visit the city feel safe and welcome so that they go home and tell their friends what a great place it is and they come back. And I'm not saying we don't do that now, but I'd like to try and look at some ways to get more police presence downtown and make that more of a priority than it has been,” said Chief Licata, Niagara Falls Police Department.

Being chief actually pays less than many jobs in the department.

DalPorto is going back to his rank of captain, where he'll earn more money.