The City of Auburn announced June 7 the appointment of Paul Register as the new police chief, effective July 1.
Register, Auburn's current assistant police chief, will take over for retiring Chief Tommy Dawson. Register has also been the acting police chief since Dawson announced a medical leave in March because of his battle with Parkinson's disease.
"I'm very proud to be able to retire and leave the department in such capable hands," Dawson told the Opelika-Auburn News.
Director of Public Safety Bill James echoed Dawson in a recent press release.
"In the last couple of months, (Register) has done well in an acting position, doing all of the work the chief would do," James said. "He has done an excellent job over his entire career and has proven himself to be able to lead at a high level."
A 25-year veteran of the Auburn Police Division, Register has served in the patrol, detectives and vice and narcotics sections of the division before becoming assistant chief in 2010. He graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a Bachelor of Science in justice and public safety and attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
"It's an honor to be able to serve in this capacity," Register said. "After working side-by-side with Chief Dawson for all these years, I'm excited to continue what he's put in place during his time here."
Register says protecting the University campus will continue to be a top priority of the APD.
"Auburn University should not see a difference in the Auburn Police Division," Register said. "You will see the same commitment to keeping the students and faculty safe. From our time with Chief Dawson, we have developed a good set of goals and procedures to keep the campus a safe place."
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