GATES, N.Y. — The Town of Gates officially welcomed a new police chief Monday night.

Interim Chief Robert Long was appointed the full-time permanent chief of the Gates Police Department at a Town Board meeting. 

Long is also a school board member for the Gates Chili Central School District. 

Long is replacing former Chief James VanBrederode who retired last month, after serving the office since 2013.

"It is very humbling," Long said. "This is something I've strived for since I went to the academy. I got hired in the town of Gates. I had two great mentors, Chief Caro and Chief VanBrederode that brought me up through the ranks."

Former Chief VanBrederode will be running for the 56th State Senate District against incumbent Democrat Jeremy Cooney.