ALFRED — There will soon be a new patrol commander at the York County Sheriff’s Office.

The position carries the rank of major at the rural patrol division. It became vacant when York County Sheriff Bill King, who took office Jan. 1 following his Nov. 4 election, chose then-major Tom Baran to be his chief deputy.

The vacancy will be filled by Paul Mitchell, a former lieutenant at the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, according to King.

York County Commissioners approved the hiring Wednesday.

Commissioner Michael Cote, who took part in the interview process, said Mitchell “did a great job” in the interview.

“He’ll be dedicated to the agency and the county,” Cote told fellow commissioners.

Mitchell retired a year ago from the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office after 28 years there. He once headed a detective’s division, a police bike division and was a part of the agency’s hostage negotiating team.

Mitchell was one of 27 applicants for the job, King told county commissioners. Of those applicants, only five people were chosen to be interviewed, with Mitchell emerging as the best candidate for the job, King said.

While working for Fairfax County, Mitchell commanded a squad of about 22 deputies ”“ similar to the size of the York County rural patrol division, which numbers about 24.

“We think we have a very, very well-rounded applicant here,” King said.

King said Mitchell, whose wife has relatives in Massachusetts, saw the posting and seized the opportunity. He said Mitchell was anxious to get back into police work after retiring a year ago.

Mitchell starts his job as patrol commander Feb. 2.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].