KENAI -- The commander of the Alaska Wildlife Trooper detachment in Soldotna will be the city's new police chief.

Mayor Peter Micciche and outgoing city manager Larry Semmens announced Monday that 50-year-old Pete Mlynarik was selected for the job. Mlynarik lives in Cooper Landing.

The Peninsula Clarion reports he has alternated between being a state trooper and wildlife trooper since 1990.

Former Soldotna Police Chief John Lucking spent eight years with the city and departed June 11.