GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids has a new police chief.

On Monday, Eric Winstrom was sworn in as the city’s 15th police chief at City Hall.

Winstrom comes to Grand Rapids from Chicago, where he served in the police department for more than 20 years, rising to the rank of commander. He says he is eager to get to know Grand Rapids and lead its police department.

“The police department is nothing without the community it serves. We are here for you. I’m excited to start listening to community-led discussions of what is needed from the police department here in Grand Rapids, and I’m going to make sure I’m not the only one here at GRPD who is actively listening and taking the opportunities to listen,” Winstrom said after he took his oath.

He said that one of his big priorities is working alongside those in crime prevention and promised to hold his police officers to high standards.

“…And I expect (the officers) and the city managers to hold me to even higher standards,” he added.

During his first speech as police chief, Winstrom said he is looking forward to evaluating what can be done better at the department as well as “make GRPD a department where men and women of all backgrounds want to work as we look to bring more diversity to the department.”

Winstrom takes the reins from former chief Eric Payne, who retired last week after 35 years with GRPD.