The City of Creston has hired a new police chief, three months after the former chief and assistant were charged with sexually abusing a bartender. Creston Mayor Warren Woods announced Tuesday that the city has hired Paul Ver Meer from a list of five finalists.

Ver Meer will take over the duties of police chief in Creston after 17 years with the Carroll Police Department, where he’s currently an officer. Former Creston Police Chief James Christensen and former assistant John Sickels were fired in June.

They are accused of raping a female bartender at the Crestmoor Golf Club on April 18. Both men are charged with second-degree sexual abuse. Their trial is scheduled for November 17 in Union County District Court.