Henrico County’s choice of a new police chief reflects the growing influence of the Latino community in the Richmond area.

The choice is Maj. Humberto “Hum” Cardounel Jr.

His appointment was announced Tuesday by Henrico County Manager John A. Vithoulkas.

Maj. Cardounel, a 28-year veteran of the department, will be the first person with Latino roots to lead the Henrico police department and is possibly the first Latino chief in the Metro Richmond area.

He is the son of Cuban parents who immigrated to this country, according to the police department. He is a native of this country.

Maj. Cardounel will be sworn in Friday, April 15, as the 16th chief since the department was created in 1915.

As chief, Maj. Cardounel will oversee law enforcement for the county’s 325,000 residents and a community covering 244 square miles.

His command will include 624 sworn police officers and a current budget of $69.2 million.

He will succeed Col. Douglas A. Middleton, who has been named deputy county manager for public safety following five years as chief.

Maj. Cardounel joined the department in 1988 as a patrol officer and medic with the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Team.

Rising through the ranks, he was promoted to major last year and currently serves as deputy chief for the Investigative Bureau and as a member of the department’s executive staff.

He previously served as deputy chief for the Patrol Bureau. He also led the Criminal Investigations Section and developed and implemented the Homeland Security Section. He also has served stints with other divisions within the department.

A graduate of Henrico’s Douglas S. Freeman High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Richmond and a master’s degree in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.