The city of Syracuse has a new police chief. Mayor Ben Walsh welcomed Kenton Buckner to the city Friday morning.

Buckner is currently chief in Little Rock, Arkansas – holding the title since 2014. Prior to that, he served with the Louisville Metro Police Department for 21 years.

His career boasts experience in patrol operations, investigations, special ops, and administration work.

Buckner beat out two other finalists, including current First Deputy Chief Joe Cecile. Cecile has served the Syracuse Police Department for more than 33 years, had the backing of Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler and other police officers. 

"For the Mayor to go with Deputy Chief Cecil, I think for the department, they would have been more comfortable. Nobody likes change and that's something we're going to have to get used to," said Jeffrey Piedmonte, Syracuse PBA President.

After an eight-month process with community engagement, Walsh said he felt Buckner was the best man for the job.

“When we began looking for our next police chief, our goal was to find the very best candidate available. In hiring Chief Buckner, we have achieved that objective,” Walsh said in a press release. “Chief Buckner brings effective crime reduction strategies and a track record for increasing the diversity of his force. He understands the importance of having strong partnerships with law enforcement and the community to make our neighborhoods safer. Syracuse has an outstanding police department. I believe Chief Buckner will make it even better.”

As Buckner knows what's he's coming into, with a recent spike in violent crime.

"The crime control model that I subscribe to that I believe most 21st Century police believe will give you traction, specifically dealing with violent crime, is an intelligence-lead police model, that is hot spot and offender focused, effective partnerships with law enforcement and community.  And you also have to have community involvement.  When you have all of those things working in concert, I believe you can have traction in violent crime,” Buckner said.

Buckner does not come to the city without controversy. He lost his service weapon, and the gun later ended up in the hands of two people who were criminally charged.

Bucker says the gun was misplaced while he was moving from an apartment to a new home, with several people coming in and out of the home.

He said at the end of the day – it was his responsibility.

"The misstep was on my part, that I didn't take the steps to properly secure the weapon before it came up missing.  We were lucky to be able to locate it. I was issued a written reprimand for that, as I should have been.  I also paid for the weapon, which I was not required to do, but I wanted to set the tone of accountability for self."

Buckner said he also made his written reprimand public to show that everyone has to be held accountable, including the chief.

No start date has been set, but Buckner is staying on with the Little Rock Force until November 16.

The community will quickly get the chance to meet him though. There will be a meet-and-greet Saturday morning in the Syracuse City Hall atrium at 11 a.m.