Chief Alan Rodbell of the Scottsdale (AZ) Police Department has been named the first Arizona Police Chief of the Year by the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police , reports azcentral.com .

Rodbell said he thought it was "pretty cool" to be named the inaugural winner, and said he didn't know they had started the award.

"I'm very flattered and humbled by this," Rodbell said. "You don't get this far without a lot of people behind you."

AACOP is an organization that works to promote coordination between police and the public in Arizona. Its membership base includes chiefs down through commanders.

Jan Strauss, executive director of AACOP, said the board chose Rodbell as the inaugural winner after it looked at the nominees' accomplishments in the department and community and their outreach with the community. They also looked at how well-respected the chiefs are by their departments and communities.

Strauss said Rodbell is an active member of AACOP and several professional organizations, boards and commissions. He is involved in community outreach, helped get Scottsdale accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and mentors people looking to be in other positions. All of this helped contribute to his selection as Chief of the Year.