Its official,  SLO City Manager Katie Lichtig announced on Dec 4., the City has made a conditional job offer to Deanna Cantrell as the City’s new Police Chief.

Cantrell is the second Chef in a row to be recruited from Arizona and is currently Assistant Chief at the Mesa Arizona Police Department. The conditional offer paves the way for medical and psychological evaluations to be conducted ahead of an actual hiring.

Cantrell has been at Mesa for the last 21 years.

“The City of San Luis Obispo was fortunate to have a diverse and very qualified pool of candidates. Deanna brings vast and diverse experience that is transferable to our community,” said Lichtig in a press statement. “Importantly she has an inherent passion for community and desire to solve community problems in a collaborative manner.”

According to the City’s rundown of Cantrell’s resume, her experience covers patrol, motor and traffic enforcement, internal affairs, and undercover and special crime assignments.

In the City’s announcement, Cantrell was quoted as saying, “I am so excited to join the other dedicated employees of the Police Department to serve the community. I will work incredibly hard to build upon relationships that have already been forged as well as create new ones. I look forward to contributing to the Police Department, the City organization, and the community for many years into the future.”

The City is planning on her first day being Jan. 4, 2016.