The new El Dorado police chief is captain is a veteran who has spent 22 years with the agency.

Capt. Bill White was picked for the post Friday by the El Dorado Civil Service Commission. He will replace retiring Chief Ricky Roberts.

White was named after the panel went into closed session for more than an hour.

Roberts endorsed the choice and passed on his badge to White.

The El Dorado News-Times reports there were seven applicants for the job, six of them El Dorado police officers.

White says he's eager to meet with fellow officers and discuss changes he wants to make in the time ahead.