OGDEN, Utah — The city of Ogden has named its new chief of police.
Chief Randy Watt is retiring, the Ogden City Police Department announced Monday.
Mayor Mike Caldwell announced Tuesday that Deputy Chief Eric Young will replace Watt, pending "city council advice and consent."
Watt has served as the department's chief since January 2017. He was the assistant chief from 1979-2011. He then retired, and he spent time with the National Guard and privatized security consulting before he was asked to return as the head of the department.
He agreed to serve as chief for three years, but ended up staying for an extra year.
"The four years spent leading this department have been among the most gratifying of my almost 40-year law enforcement career," Watt said Tuesday.
He praised Young in his farewell remarks as well.
"The mayor has selected an excellent chief of police to provide continuity to the successful efforts of both the Ogden Police Department and the city," he said, citing Young's "significant policing experience" and education.
"I am honored and humbled to be selected by Mayor Mike Caldwell to serve as the next police chief for Ogden City," Young said. "I've spent my entire life interwoven in the fabric of Ogden."
Young said he was raised in Ogden, attended Weber State University, worked at McKay-Dee Hospital, where he met his wife, and has served for 27 years in the department.
Watch the full remarks from Caldwell, Watt and Young below:
