Selma finally has a new police chief, the same one the city’s had since February.

Last night, at the Selma City Council meeting, Mayor James Perkins Jr. made it official by appointing Interim Chief Jimmy Martin to the position permanently.

The Council and the audience burst into applause, and Martin, who was presenting a report on crime statistics to the Council, raised his hands in thanks.

“I think we made the right decision,” Perkins said.

In making the presentation, Perkins explained why the process took so long.

“I’m not a good shopper for anything,” he joked.

Perkins made the analogy that finding a new chief was like searching for an item in a store, finding it, and then checking other stores to see if a better item could be found.

“I am convinced that the best is already in the house,” Perkins said.

Martin was made Interim Chief in February, after former Interim Chief Robert Jacobs resigned from the position.

Perkins began a nationwide search for a suitable candidate to take the job immediately, naming Assistant Chief Jimmy Martin to the position of Interim Chief during the search.

Martin said he’s got some plans for the department in the works.

“There’s several things that are already on the table,” he said. “(There will) be several other programs within the year.”

For the time being, however, Martin said he wouldn’t be changing the department he’s been running for months.

“I’m just trying to stay on course,” Martin said.

Perkins told the council that the change would take effect on May 16.

Martin’s new position, Perkins said, means a significant pay raise.

Perkins told the Council that Martin’s salary is going to be about $50,000 per year.

He said it wouldn’t require a change in the budget, because $51,000 is allocated for the position.