Cedric Alexander, who now oversees TSA security for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, has been named DeKalb County’s new police chief. 

He replaces William O’Brien, who retired Nov. 30, 2012.

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis announced Alexander’s appointment over the 1,100-member police force this morning during a news conference.

One of Alexander’s immediate challenges will be dealing with determining what will happen to police officers assigned to Brookhaven now that it has become its own city and it plans to establish its own police force. Brookhaven was incorporated last year.

Alexander has served at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport since July 2007. He came to TSA after serving as deputy commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, where he oversaw criminal justice advanced training.

Alexander, who holds a clinical psychology degree, also served as an assistant professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center and as police chief of Rochester, NY.  He spent 15 years as an officer in Florida and a member of the Miami-Dade Detective Bureau.

Alexander holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from St. Thomas University. In 1997, he earned his doctorate in psychology from Wright State University.

In 2010, Alexander was a finalist for Atlanta’s police chief’s position, which was eventually won by George Turner.