Paul Connelly, who worked his way up from patrol officer to the No. 2 spot in the San Diego Police Department over a 27-year career, has been picked as the next chief of police in Coronado. He is scheduled to be sworn in Dec. 9. “Chief Connelly is an outstanding law enforcement professional with exemplary credentials and expertise,” Coronado City Manager Tina Friend said in a statement. “The Chief has demonstrated his commitment to public service over his military and police careers and brings an exceptional breadth of experience to Coronado.” San Diego police officials on Thursday wished the deputy chief well in his new job in a series of comments posted to X, including one that noted, “As one chapter ends, another begins.” They said Connelly helped establish the department’s neighborhood policing division in 2018 and played crucial roles in safety planning for events such as the 2016 MLB All-Star game, Comic-Con, December Nights and the city’s annual Pride parade. Connelly is a Marine Corps veteran and a trained pilot, the department said, noting he was “one of the few selected and trained to pilot SDPD’s helicopters and airplanes to provide critical public safety support from the air.” “We thank Deputy Chief Connelly for all of his contributions to the San Diego Police Department, his mentorship, his compassion in the field, and his readiness to respond whenever needed,” the department said on X. Coronado has been without a permanent chief of police since Chuck Kaye retired in January, after serving in the job for five years. Before Kaye took the chief’s job in Coronado in 2018, he had retired from the San Diego Police Department as an assistant chief and worked a year with the San Diego State University Police Department, according to The Coronado Times. Since January, Coronado’s top cop post has been filled on an interim basis by Rick Martinez. He did not apply for the job, a spokesperson said. The city hired an executive search firm — Ralph Anderson & Associations Executive Search — to help find its new chief. According to the job posting, the chief’s salary range is $212,685 to $252,966. The city did not say how many candidates applied for the job. The chief oversees 70 employees and 30 volunteers. “The recruitment went through two rounds,” Coronado spokesperson Andrea McCullough said in an email. “A police chief typically takes longer to be processed through the hiring process than other city employees because of the significantly more rigorous background checks, psychological evaluations, and other requirements for law enforcement leadership positions.” The city paid Ralph Anderson & Associates $28,500 for its services. Connelly could not be reached for comment, but he released a statement through the city of Coronado saying he was “deeply honored and humbled” by the appointment. “I want this city to know I am committed to working collaboratively with our officers, community members, and city leaders to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and accountability,” he said. “Together, we will uphold the safety and quality of life our residents cherish while continuing to foster positive connections with all who visit and serve in Coronado.”