COBB COUNTY - A new era in the Cobb County Police Department began Tuesday morning when John Houser was appointed as the county's next chief, effective immediately.

"It is an honor to stand before you today," Houser, 52, said after the Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 for the appointment. "I never thought I would be in this position, accepting this honor. As a young child, law enforcement is something that I always wanted to do. I went to college and majored in criminology. Between my junior and senior year, I interned with the Cobb County Police Department. As soon as I graduated, I filled out one application and began my career with the Cobb County Police Department. I have enjoyed my career immensely."

Houser, who was deputy chief over the department's uniform division, steps into the top position after former Chief of Police George Hatfield retired in April, taking advantage of the county's retirement incentive. The top two candidates for the job - Houser and Deputy Chief Ron Storey, who manages the department's detective operations - were announced before Hatfield's retirement and both were interviewed by a panel of prominent county figures as well as County Manager David Hankerson and Cobb Chairman Tim Lee.

Hankerson announced his recommendation to the board Monday.

"Deputy Chief Houser has been with us for many, many years and it was a long process to get to this point, and we're very proud to be in this position to have you as our police chief," Lee said. "You've got a fine department to lead and many places to go in the future, and we look forward to your leadership."

Houser has been with Cobb Police since 1981, making his way up the ranks from officer to deputy chief in March 2008. Houser earned a bachelor's degree in law enforcement from the University of Mississippi and a master's degree in public administration from Columbus State University, county spokesman Robert Quigley said.

Hankerson and the five members of the board stood with Houser and several members of his family as he spoke about the past, present and future of the department.

"The men and women that put on this police uniform every day, I'm very proud of them. They're professional, they're dedicated and they're ethical," Houser said. "I will say that we've have had some issues with stability lately - the absence of a police chief, the absence of a director of public safety. Those issues are being remedied and we're moving on. Another issue that's been a matter of concern is some disciplinary issues that have been aired in the media lately. I can tell you, as police chief, we will address those matters head-on, recognize our mistakes and move on."

Houser also stressed that he would continue to work with other sectors of the public safety department, county departments and members of the community to have a "successful" police department.

Several members of the public safety department watched as Houser was appointed to the position, including Sheriff Neil Warren.

Smyrna Police Chief Stan Hook said of Houser: "I think he'll be here for a while and bring some stability to the department. There's just been one chief after another, and he'll work very well with everyone. We work a lot with the county, sharing revenue and equipment, so I think he'll only continue that close relationship with the cities and be a benefit to everyone."

Also Tuesday, the board voted 4-1 to make an amendment to the county's code, which sets term limits of two, four-year, consecutive terms for those serving on the county's Ethics Board. Many of the current members have served on the board for several years, and the change will take effect retroactively as those who have already served two terms on the board will be ineligible to serve again when their current terms expire. Commissioner Woody Thompson voted in opposition.

Several transportation items were also approved, including the naming of what has been referred to as the "Windy/Mac Connector" as Windy Hill Road. The board also approved an expansion of Barrett Parkway and negotiations for a design firm on the $78 million Third Army Road project, which will add an exit to Interstate 75 in Bartow County near the Cobb County line.

The Third Army Road project is expected to ease some of the traffic on Cobb roads as commuters try to get onto I-75. Cobb Department of Transportation Director Faye DiMassimo DiMassimo said funding has not yet been allocated or determined for the project, but that having all studies and preliminary work finished is crucial for a project to receive funding.