Incoming Police Chief Gregory Burns Jr. represents a departure from the top leadership role in the city’s police department in more ways than one.

When he starts his new job on Oct. 2, Burns will be the first chief in more than three decades who did not come up through the ranks of the Lawrence Police Department. Also, he is set to become the city’s first black police chief. Both are important and welcome milestones for the city.

Burns, 46, was chosen over three other finalists for the position. He was the only minority candidate among the finalists.

He will come to Lawrence from Louisville, Ky., where he commands the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Support Bureau, which includes major crimes, narcotics, community services and special operations. He has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, but Lawrence will be his first police chief role.

City Manager Tom Markus said Burns’ descriptions of how he connected with people in the community really resonated during the interview process.

“He tried to resolve problems that came forward and really got personally involved in the community to help people resolve issues that they might have with not just the police department but with the community at large,” Markus said.

Burns will replace Tarik Khatib, who resigned in June after more than 25 years with the Lawrence Police Department. Prior to Khatib, Ron Olin served as Lawrence’s police chief for 24 years, from 1987 until his retirement in 2011.

Certainly, there is value in police having knowledge and understanding of the city and the department. But after 30 years of insider leadership, it is time for an outsider’s perspective, and Burns brings it.

Finally, it is of significance that Burns is black. The community is having a conversation about race and the criminal justice system. For example, though black residents make just 4 percent of Douglas County’s population, they often are incarcerated at a much higher rate. For instance, in April, 20 percent of the inmates in the Douglas County Jail were black.

Having a black police chief doesn’t change such statistics overnight, but it helps build trust with all segments of the community that minority residents’ concerns are being heard and addressed.

“I thought he would probably enhance our efforts to bring the police department closer to the community,” Markus said. “And that’s my hope for him.”

Burns promised he would take the time necessary to interact with the city’s residents and understand the community’s needs.

“As officers, it’s your job to make people safe,” Burns said. “So we have to come up with those strategies and initiatives that reduce crime, reduce fear and improve the quality of life of all citizens.”

Time will tell if Burns is able to deliver on effective leadership of the Lawrence Police Department, but on paper he appears to be the right hire for the city.