A.Q. “Andy” Ellington has been named chief of police for the town of Farmville.

The unanimous appointment by Farmville Town Council came after a closed session during the early part of its meeting Wednesday.

Ellington previously served as acting police chief. The temporary position came after the resignation of former Chief Curtis Davis.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust and confidence this promotion conveys,” Ellington said in a statement following the meeting. “Everyone in this wonderful community, including current members of the Farmville Police Department, can rest assured that I will continue to serve as chief with the same exemplary professionalism as those who have served before me.”

During Davis’ tenure, Ellington served as deputy chief and captain of the department. He joined the department in 1989 as a patrol officer. Before that, he worked as a dispatcher for two years.

“So, basically (I’m) on my 29th year with the town of Farmville. It’s been my home ever since I graduated high school,” Ellington said in a previous interview.

In his statement, Ellington offered thanks to Town Manager Gerald Spates, Mayor David Whitus and members of town council.

“It’s always a privilege when you can promote from within the ranks,” Whitus said following the vote. “We’re pleased that Andy has done so well with his career with the town of Farmville and look forward to his leadership going forward.”

Spates endorsed the recommendation to name Ellington chief, which came from the council’s personnel committee.

“I had the opportunity … to watch Andy grow from a dispatcher through the ranks. It’s my pleasure to endorse Andy for police chief,” Spates said before council voted.

Ellington also previously served as acting chief during the search after former Police Chief Doug Mooney left the position prior to Davis’ hiring.

Ellington said he looked forward “to the opportunity of directing the important reaccreditation process our department is facing in the next four months, expanding community policing and focusing our recruitment efforts to increase the number of women and minorities on the force and in leadership positions.”

In his statement, he called the department’s involvement in security operations of the recent U.S. Vice Presidential Debate at Longwood University an honor.

Ellington said he looked forward “to expanding the involvement of our youth in our successful community policing efforts and to continue to develop and strengthen our community outreach programs. Such efforts have a considerable positive effect in helping our children develop positive citizenship skills and desirable attitudes regarding the dangers of using alcohol and illegal drugs in our community.”

He said it was an honor to lead the department “as it continues to provide a safe and secure community through excellence in public service.”