After being with the police department for more than 20 years, Thomas Ledwell was named Frederick City's new police chief Thursday night.

The Board of Alderman voted to accept Mayor Randy McClement's recommendation. Ledwell began serving as acting police chief in November after longtime Police Chief Kim Dine resigned to become chief of the U.S. Capitol Police.

Mayor Randy McClement said Ledwell has moved through the ranks and served in leadership roles for more than 13 years.

"I also believe from a professional stand point that it is the right thing to do. You want to promote from within and this allows hope for all of the police force to know that they can rise through the ranks as Tom [did]. So congratulations to Tom and I know he will do a great job," McClement said.

Ledwell will continue with his current goals for the department and already has plans for the future.

"Tom has been the one probably most directly responsible for some of the things that were the new initiatives that are being taken such as the directive patrol that you have seen happening in our city. He brings a new little twist on community policing. He believes that aspect should continue but he is also possibly bringing fourth what he is calling community led policing," McClement said.

Ledwell will lead a staff of 180, which includes 140 police officers.