The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to appoint the city’s former fire chief, Kenneth Silva, as the newest member of the Honolulu Police Commission.

Silva, who served as fire chief from February 2006 until December 2012, will fill the lone vacancy on the seven-member police commission following his nomination for the position late last month by Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

In a brief statement before the vote, Silva highlighted his career as a public servant and his lifelong residency on Oahu.

“I look forward to any opportunity I have to serve,” he said.

Silva becomes the police commission’s only member of Native Hawaiian descent. He will be filling the seat vacated by former commissioner Michael Broderick, who urged Blangiardi to diversify the commission upon his departure.

Blangiardi previously told Civil Beat that he nominated Silva because of his “high integrity” and “outstanding character,” citing his work with the fire department.

“In his role as chief he resolved concerns and issues at fire stations in every community on Oahu and he knows, first-hand, the disparate needs and priorities of our residents and neighborhoods,” Blangiardi said. “Ken is highly respected for his many outstanding contributions to our community over the course of his career and is especially recognized for being an exceptional leader with a keen sense of social equity.”

Silva is set to make his initial appearance with the police commission at next Wednesday’s meeting.