After serving as a patrol sergeant for five years in the College Park area, Maj. Rob Brewer is returning here as the new commander for the Dist. 1 Prince George’s County Police Department.

Brewer most recently served as commander for Dist. 6 for a 1-1/2 years. The major difference between the two he says is volume: Dist. 1 has more crime, population and traffic. It encompasses 16 incorporated municipalities, including College Park, Hyattsville, Greenbelt, University Park and Riverdale Park.

Brewer grew up in Laurel and graduated from the University of Maryland, before going on to serve the department for 18-1/2 years, at four of the six police districts. He is filling the shoes of Maj. Hector Velez, who was recently promoted to deputy chief of the Bureau of Patrol, after leading as commander of Dist. 1 for less than a year.

Velez will now oversee all six county police districts. See what he had to say about the new gig here, on The Diamondback.