ATASCADERO — The City of Atascadero is expected to confirm its new police chief, Robert “Bob” Masterson, on Tuesday night during the Dec. 8 City Council meeting.

Masterson, who was most recently the chief of police in King City for the past five years, has over 34 years of widely varied experience in small and mid-sized law enforcement agencies.

Masterson takes over for former Police Chief Jerel Haley, who retired in October after 29 years as a public safety officer. According to Masterson’s resume, the new chief spent 20 years working in the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, working in many fields, including street crimes investigations commander and internal affairs.

After leaving the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, Masterson served as director of a faith-based non-profit organization that provides gang prevention and other services to at-risk youth, and was Chief of Police for the College of Sequoias Community College District, receiving its Administrator of the Year Award.

According to the City’s agenda packet, Masterson’s monthly salary will be $13,466.96.