(DES MOINES) Gov. Terry Branstad today named K. Brian London has the new Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. London begins on October 8th, and replaces Larry Noble, who retired from the position earlier this year.

London, 59, has a long career in public safety, beginning as a U.S. Military Captain from 1975-1980. London then served as the State Traffic Officer for the California Highway Patrol until 1983. From there, he went on to serve in the Office of Security at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Langley, VA.

London returned to California in 1984, where he served as a special agent in the U.S. Secret Service until 1987. From 1987 to 2004, London worked in Washington, D.C. as the Director and Supervisor of Detectives at the U.S. Customs Service, which later turned into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE.)

London served as Executive Director at the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) in Lyon, France from 2004-07. He then moved to serve as Deputy Chief for Law Enforcement at the Florida Department of Financial Services in Tallahassee. London remained in Tallahassee, where he most recently was operating as an independent security consultant.

“Iowa is incredibly fortunate to have Brian filling this critically important role within state government,” said Gov. Branstad. “There is no higher responsibility for the government than to protect its citizens, and Brian has a wealth of experience to apply within our Department of Public Safety.”

“I am honored to have been selected for this position, and look forward to serving with the outstanding men and women of the Department,” London said. “I will make enforcement and efficiency both top priorities for the department. I believe a more efficient department will offer a better return for Iowa’s taxpayers, and will allow us to perform our core function, which is to protect the safety of Iowans. In my role as a part of Florida law enforcement, I led the effort to reorganize divisions to enhance efficiency, which resulted in increased enforcement.”

Reynolds says London will work closely with the administration to ensure Iowa’s safety needs are met.

“Our administration looks forward to working with Brian to ensure Iowa’s well-earned reputation for being a safe place to live and raise a family is upheld,” said Reynolds. “Brian’s appointment sends a strong signal about our administration’s commitment to public safety. We are excited to welcome Brian, and his experience, to the team.”

Brian and his wife, Marie-Line, have three children.