What we know about David Zack, Asheville's new police chief

David Zack will start his tenure as Asheville police chief on Feb. 4, city manager Debra Campbell announced on Jan. 13 after a four-month search for a chief.

Here's what we know about the Cheektowaga, N.Y., police chief, according to information provided by the city of Asheville, as well as public records:

He teaches at his alma mater

Zack earned a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice from Hilbert College, in Hamburg, N.Y., where he also serves as an adjunct instructor in forensic science and crime scene photography, according to a biography provided by the city of Asheville. He also is an instructor for the University of Tennessee National Forensic Academy.

Long tenure in Cheektowaga

He joined the Cheektowaga Police Department in 1987. He was named police chief in 2011. The department has 250 employees and 130 sworn officers. He has served as a patrol supervisor and head of CPD's Sex Offense and Crime Scene Investigation Units. He was promoted to detective bureau commander out of those posts.

According to a 2011 media report, Zack created the town's rapid deployment response plan after the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.

The same story in the Cheektowaga Bee reports that in 2003, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the busiest shift: "In that capacity, he formulated a special detail which targeted hundreds of perpetrators who were wanted on outstanding arrest warrants. The result was more than 300 arrests."

He's worked in big-name prisons

In 1984, Zack started his law enforcement career in the Department of Corrections, working for three years at both Sing-Sing and Attica Correctional Facilities.

He's a distinguished alumni

In 2017, he received the Maryvale Distinguished Alumni award, bestowed on Maryvale High School alumni "who have distinguished themselves with their professional accomplishments and service to the community," according to a report in the Cheektowaga Chronicle.

Lifelong western NY resident

When he was promoted to chief in 2011, Zack was described by the Cheektowaga Bee as a lifelong resident of the town that is just outside Buffalo.

He is 56. He has two daughters.

You'll find him on Twitter

At @ChiefDavidZack.