Former Victorian police chief commissioner Simon Overland will return to the state to take up a new role as the head of a council in Melbourne's outer north.
Whittlesea City Council said in a statement it had appointed Mr Overland as its new chief executive.
Mr Overland will leave his role as the head of the Department of Justice in Tasmania, where he has been working since he resigned from his role as Victoria's police chief in 2011.
He stepped down after an ombudsman report found that he had allowed misleading crime figures to be released ahead of the 2010 state election.
The ombudsman found that the statistics, which showed a significant reduction in CBD assaults, were released several weeks early, compromising the integrity of the data.
Whittlesea City Council mayor Ricky Kirkham said the council had searched for a replacement across the country but the decision to hire Mr Overland was unanimous.
"As we continue to grow, it is essential we plan quality services and infrastructure for our established and new communities," he said.
"Simon will be critical in ensuring the organisation meets these objectives."
The council area covers the suburbs of Bundoora, Lalor, Epping, South Morang and Mernda.
Acting chief executive Liana Thompson will remain in the role until Mr Overland takes over on August 21.
