The Gainesville Police Department will get a new second in command in July when Nelson Moya joins as assistant police chief.  

Moya currently serves as deputy county executive for Suffolk County in Long Island, New York. He heads the probation department and justice intervention initiatives there. While in New York, Moya has also created the area’s first Threat Assessment Management Team to prevent acts of targeted violence.  

“I’m thankful and humbled to have been selected for this position,” Moya said in a press release. “My family and I are excited to join the Gainesville community. I look forward to working alongside Chief Scott in serving our citizens and the great men and women of the Gainesville Police Department.”   

Moya worked at the Palm Bay Police Department for 31 years before New York, rising to the police chief. He will start as assistant chief on July 3.  

The assistant police chief position has been open since Chief Terrence Pierce died in March.