After four years as chief of police in Thousand Oaks, sheriff’s Cmdr. Dennis Carpenter will take on a new title and new position next month.

Carpenter, who has worked in the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department for 31 years, has been promoted to chief deputy by Sheriff Bob Brooks. Carpenter will oversee the sheriff’s patrol services beginning Feb. 8.

Cmdr. Jeff Matson, who currently heads the sheriff’s Technical Services Bureau, will take over as police chief in Thousand Oaks, the largest city that contracts with the Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement.

Brooks said Carpenter’s experience and understanding at the local level will aid him in his new countywide responsibilities.

“It’s well deserved,” Brooks said of Carpenter’s promotion. “It’s a great match for him because the city of Thousand Oaks is the most significant (contract) city because of size and complexity.”

Matson is no stranger to Thousand Oaks, either. The commander, who joined the department in 1983, formerly served as assistant chief of police in Thousand Oaks. He also served as police chief in Moorpark, which also contracts with the department.

“He comes with a really strong portfolio for this position,” Brooks said. “It’s a real logical position for him in terms of expanding his career.”

Thousand Oaks City Manager Scott Mitnick lauded Carpenter’s work in the city and said Matson’s experience made him an ideal candidate to take up the post.

“Dennis has done a truly outstanding job as police chief over the past four years,” Mitnick said. “He played a key role in implementing the City Council’s strong commitment to public safety.”

Mitnick cited Carpenter’s work in establishing the area’s first Internet-predator detective position and converting the two-officer D.A.R.E. anti-drug program in local schools to three school resource officer positions. Carpenter also pointed to that change as one of the high points of his time in Thousand Oaks.

“I just really wanted a program on campuses. In my mind, it’s been very successful,” Carpenter said. “I enjoyed working in the city again. I started my career here as a young deputy. It’s just been great.”

Matson, who has also worked in detention services, patrol services and on the SWAT team, could not be reached for comment Friday.

“Jeff’s extensive experience, intimate knowledge of the Thousand Oaks community and proven track record make him the ideal candidate to build upon our foundation of world-class public safety,” Mitnick said of Matson. “The City Council and the entire city organization look forward to working with Jeff to provide the high levels of public safety service that this community expects.”

Carpenter, a Port Hueneme native, will take over the post currently held by Chief Deputy Chris Godfrey, who will retire in February. Carpenter has a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks and a master’s in public administration from CSU Northridge.

In his current position, Matson oversees the forensic laboratory, the photo lab and the information systems bureau. He has a bachelor’s in business administration from CSU Northridge and a master’s in public administration from CLU.