He’s spent more than 31 years as a law enforcement officer, including 22 at the DEA. At the agency, he worked in Oklahoma, New York and Washington. He spent time overseas in Colombia, Afghanistan and the Middle East. The agency said he fought drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

The position will give Cole the same authority as Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, who reports directly to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.