ALBANY, N.Y. -- Eric Hawkins was named Albany's new police chief, unanimously approved in a vote by the Albany Common Council.

That followed hours of committee questioning and public comment where Hawkins talked more about his plans for the city, including implementation of body cameras and his philosophy on community policing and procedural justice. 

Hawkins said he's eager to get to work forming relationships.

"Getting out and actually talking to people in this community, actually finding out what their challenges, what their fears, what their concerns are, and marrying those two things," Hawkins said. "What the police department is doing and what those fears are, and see if we can develop a strategy."

Before accepting the job here, Hawkins served nearly three decades in the Southfield, Michigan Police Department, most recently as chief.

An official swearing-in ceremony will take place on Friday, Sept. 7, according to the mayor's office. It will take place at City Hall in the rotunda.