Superintendent George Fraser will take up the position of district commander of Auckland City within the next few months.
Police announced the appointment, along with those of three new assistant commissioners, yesterday.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad said Gavin Jones had been appointed assistant commissioner of intelligence and investigations, Viv Rickard assistant commissioner of operations, Steve Shortland assistant commissioner, Auckland, and Supt Fraser district commander of Auckland City.
Mr Broad said the new appointments recognised the need for additional senior management support for key operational parts of the service.
They also reflected the department's growth, which had seen staff numbers rise from 9874 three years ago to a projected 11,800 by the end of this financial year, he said.
Mr Broad said he was pleased to see the "seasoned performer" return from the Southern district to take charge of the Auckland City central district.
Supt Fraser was appointed Southern district commander in 2005.
Before that appointment, he served all of his more than 30 years in the police in Auckland, mainly in general duties with five years in strategic traffic management and road policing.
He was the area commander of the western area of the Auckland City district in 2003 and 2004.
Supt Fraser said yesterday the appointment had caused him to reflect on the "fantastic" support he had received from staff in the Southern district over the past three years.
The job had given him the chance to work with staff involved across the whole gamut of policing, from those working in large city stations to rural ones as well as two-position stations, and he had been impressed with the professionalism demonstrated in all circumstances, he said.
He had also been impressed by people's willingness and dedication to improving community safety.
Interviews for the district commander position would be held shortly, he said.
He would begin his new job in Auckland in the next few months.
