SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Rick Braziel was named Thursday as Sacramento's new chief of police.

Braziel, who is the current deputy chief, will take over when current Chief Albert Najera retires next month.

Speaking at a news conference, Braziel promised more transparency in police department operations.

"The public needs to know what their police department is doing," Braziel told a crowd of police officers, political leaders and media gathered at City Hall.

Braziel also thanked his father, who was in the audience.

Najera, whose voice cracked as he spoke to the crowd, wished Braziel well in his new post.

Back in October, Najera announced he would retire after four years as chief.

Braziel last year completed a master of arts degree in homeland security studies at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.

Braziel has not yet negotiated his salary. City documents indicate his pay range would be between $130,000 and $195,000 annually, KCRA 3 reported.