Former Victoria Police commissioner Simon Overland will take the reins of a troubled Melbourne council which has lost its two most recent chief executives.
The 55-year-old, who resigned from the force in 2011 under a cloud after a two-year stint in the top job, was on Thursday named chief executive of Whittlesea Council, in Melbourne's north.
It's the latest chapter in a colourful career for Mr Overland, who has worked as secretary for the Department of Justice in Tasmania since his departure from Victorian law enforcement.
"I feel very honoured in accepting this important appointment," he said of his local government appointment.
His police resignation was sparked by an ombudsman's report which found he released misleading crime statistics a month before the 2010 state election.
The figures, which included data that turned out to be false, were used by the then-Labor government to support its law and order credentials in the campaign.
He was later cleared of any corrupt conduct.
Mr Overland will replace Michael Wootten at Whittlesea. Wootten was axed as chief executive in March, after long-serving council boss David Turnbull failed to have his contract renewed in early 2016.
Mr Overland resigned from his Tasmanian role on Thursday. He is due to start his new job on August 21.
"Mr Overland has served both Labor and Liberal governments since 2012 and we thank him for his efforts," Tasmanian premier Will Hodgman said.
AAP