Deputy Police Chief Anthony "Tony" Pustizzi was appointed the city's new police chief Wednesday.

There were 156 applicants to replace Chief Duncan Foster, who had been chief since May 2005 and retired in February.

Pustizzi began his career with the Coral Springs Police Department in 1988. He served as a patrol officer until 1993 when he became a detective. He rose through the ranks, becoming a sergeant, a captain in 2002, and deputy chief in 2005 overseeing various departments.


Most recently, Pustizzi was in charge of the Operations Division, which includes criminal investigations.

The job had been posted with a salary of between $107,000 and $161,000 a year. City officials said Wednesday "salary and benefits are still being structured" so nothing has been finalized yet with Pustizzi.

He will be honored during a badge pinning ceremony Friday.