A police commander in Colorado is Denton's choice for police chief after a nationwide search that drew 94 applicants.

Denton City Manager George Campbell announced Tuesday the city has hired Roy W. Minter Jr., who starts his new job Aug. 13.

"I feel like I'm the most special guy in the world because I'm going to be police chief in Denton, Texas," Cmdr. Minter, 47, of the Aurora, Colo., Police Department, said. "It has a national reputation of being one of the most innovative, professional law enforcement departments in the country."

He will supervise 152 sworn officers, 51 civilians and eight animal services employees.

For the past two weeks, city officials have been deciding among six finalists, including three local law enforcement officers.

"His experience made him the ideal candidate," Mr. Campbell said in a news release. "I have every confidence that his leadership will maintain the high standard of excellence our community has come to expect from the Denton Police Department."

Former Police Chief Charles Wiley left his post in October 2006 to become chief of the Houston Independent School District Police Department. He had been chief since March 2002.

Cmdr. Minter was born in Detroit and began his career in law enforcement in Houston in 1982. Aurora, a suburb of Denver, recruited him in 1992.

Members of the Denton Police Officers Association had supported one of the other finalists – one with longtime ties to the department. Detective Troy Nivens, association president, said that all the finalists appeared to be outstanding and that the association members are looking forward to working with Cmdr. Minter.

Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said he is sad but not surprised that he's losing Cmdr. Minter to Denton.

"He's an exceptional talent. I came here about 20 months ago, and it became very obvious to me that he was among our brightest stars," Chief Oates said.

The chief promoted him last year to District One commander, making him the highest-ranking black officer in Aurora's history with oversight of about a third of the city.

Cmdr. Minter began as a patrol officer and advanced to field training officer, vice and narcotics investigator and detective. He also served in the juvenile, domestic violence and sex crimes units.

He was promoted to sergeant in 1999 and lieutenant in 2002 before the 2006 promotion.

He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. He is president of the Colorado Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

He said he believes the greatest asset he's bringing to the department is his "unmatched passion for the job."

"This is my 25th year, and I'm still excited every morning when I get up. Every day I'm excited to get to the job," Cmdr. Minter said. "I still love police work."