The Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights voted in January to appoint James Steinmetz the new chief of the village’s police department. Steinmetz, who has worked for the department for almost 18 years, replaces former police chief Thomas Boyce.

Following Boyce’s retirement on Jan. 27, the board made its decision to appoint Steinmetz to the position at a Feb. 13 meeting at the village’s Marcham Hall, according to The Ithaca Journal.

“Given [Steinmetz’s] experience and conversations we had with him, it made sense to move him up,” Mayor Kate Supron told The Journal.

After five years of service, Boyce retired to pursue “another career option” with the Delaware State Police, Steinmetz said.

As the new chief of police, Steinmetz — who was a sergeant before his promotion — said his primary goal is “[to maintain] a safe and healthy community and to meet the challenges of these tough economic times.”

He added that two of his top priorities are “to maintain our outstanding community service to our residents” and to continue persistent enforcement of vehicle and traffic laws in the village.

Steinmetz said that he encourages anybody, village resident or not, to call or contact him with questions or concerns.

“I have an open door policy,” Steinmetz said. “Don’t be afraid to come talk to me.”