What began in November as a field of 40 applicants for Fayetteville police chief led to the Feb. 10 hire of veteran Valdosta Police Major Steve Heaton.

City Manager Joe Morton said Thursday Heaton has a total of 23 years experience in law enforcement and public safety. Set to begin in his new position March 9, Heaton spent the past 10 years with Valdosta Police, where he served as major/commander of Valdosta’s Bureau of Investigative Services. Heaton also spent nine years with the Perry Police Department, served as a Florida state trooper and has additional experience as a firefighter in Florida. Heaton earned a master’s in public administration from Columbus State University.

Morton said the hiring process began in November and by the December closing date the city had received 40 applications for the position. An evaluation of applicants’ qualifications based factors such as their management experience and on the chief’s job description narrowed the field to nine candidates, Morton said.

Members of Georgia Association of Police Chiefs conducted the next phase beginning Jan. 23, narrowing the field to five candidates, he said. The final phase consisted of a panel consisting of Morton, Mayor Kenneth Steele, a representative of the city council, a city department head and a school system member.

The Feb. 7 interviews were anticipated to narrow the field to two or three candidates, but the results of those interviews led directly to Heaton, Morton said.

“Heaton clearly stood out so we went from five candidates to one,” said Morton.