CHULA VISTA—Chula Vista Police Captain Roxana Kennedy, 55, was appointed as the 24th police chief for the Chula Vista Police Department on Wednesday, December 14, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

“It’s not something that I expected when I started working here as an officer a little over 24-years ago,” said Kennedy during a press conference.

City Manager Gary Halbert voiced support for Kennedy, telling the San Diego Tribune, “Roxana Kennedy has done an exemplary job as captain over operations of the city.”

Kennedy will be responsible for 224 officers, a $50 million budget, and a population of approximately 265,000 residents. Overseeing the patrol operations division is one of her responsibilities with the new position; this includes the street team, and traffic and patrol personnel.

Officer Kennedy earns a salary of $176,000, with nearly $15,000 in benefits as a captain for the city of Chula Vista. The details of her new salary will be determined by the end of December. The city’s current Police Chief, David Bejarano—who will be retiring, earns a salary of $213,000 with $16,500 in benefits.

In response to Kennedy’s promotion Bejarano stated, “Capt. Kennedy is the ideal person to lead this department forward as we work together to maintain safe neighborhoods, advance technology to fight crime, and serve the community through collaboration.”

Kennedy will be sworn into office on Friday, December 30.