When newly named Grand Junction Police Chief John Camper agreed to take the position on an interim basis in August, he said at the time that he did not “anticipate being a candidate for chief.”

But, as it turns out, he emerged as the right fit for the police department at the right time. While we are most certain the other five finalists were well qualified for the role, it would seem Camper stood out best.

Camper, a 1977 graduate of Central High School, had an advantage of being in the police chief role for five months, while the search for a predecessor to Bill Gardner continued to move along.

That was more than enough time for people in and around the department to get a good look at Camper and gauge his skills.

We know based on remarks from City Manager Laurie Kadrich following the hiring of Camper earlier this week that his five months as interim chief went well for all parties.

Kadrich ultimately made the decision to hire Camper.

Now it is time to settle down, and give the department some long-lasting stability at the leadership post, which has had three police chiefs in the past five years. That includes Camper who officially takes his post Feb. 7.

That would be good for all involved. We think that Camper's record at the Lakewood Police Department, where he spent about 28 years and rose to the rank of division chief, suggests he is going to be in Happy Valley for a long time.

We certainly hope so.

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Members of the Free Press Editorial Board are Publisher Valerie J. Smith, Managing Editor Tracy Dvorak, and Staff Writer Wyatt Haupt Jr.