Atascadero, CA -- Atascadero has chosen a new police chief: Jerel Haley, a lieutenant at the Santa Maria Police Department. Hired from a pool of nationwide applicants, he will be responsible for the Atascadero Police Department’s 28 sworn officers and approximately $5.6 million annual budget. The department has been without a permanent leader for nearly a year, after Chief James Mulhall unexpectedly resigned in January. Commander Steve Gesell has been serving as chief in the interim but did not apply for the permanent post.