Col. Kim C. Dine, the new chief of the Frederick Police Department.

In his first three months as Frederick's police chief, Col. Kim C. Dine has taken the idea of "meet and greet" a step further — on his feet.

An avid walker and self-professed "people person," Chief Dine, 49, has made hoofing it a part of his daily routine for getting to know the city and its people since he officially reported for duty July 15.

His hikes have won over a number of Frederick's longtime residents, including William O. Lee Jr., who served on the city's board of aldermen from 1986-94.

"I'm very much impressed with Chief Dine, and I have been since August, when the chief came out for the Black Elks parade on West All Saints Street," Mr. Lee said.

"What sticks out in my mind is what an impression the chief made on the crowd. He went from one side of the street to the other, shaking hands with everyone and introducing himself. It was an outstanding way for him to become visible, to make himself known," Mr. Lee said.

"I think he's going to be very good for Frederick."

Increased visibility is a key component to Chief Dine's approach for policing the streets of Frederick. The chief, a native of Mamaroneck, N.Y., comes here from Washington, where he moved up the ranks to become assistant police chief during his more than 27 years with the Metropolitan Police Department.

"I want to get the message across that getting out there is important, for two reasons actually. At the same time that officers are meeting the people, the exercise they're getting is helping to relieve their stress, which naturally goes along with the job," Chief Dine said.

"I've told the officers that they need to slow down. They should get off their bike, park their car and talk to the people. The purpose of getting out there on foot isn't so much as a mode of transportation, but a means of communication," he said.

"Citizens like to see officers out walking a foot beat. The reactions I've gotten have been pretty positive. One man riding his bike stopped and said hello. Others who've seen me out walking have crossed the street and started a conversation."

One woman he's struck up a friendship with recently let him know that she'd be out of town so not to worry if he didn't see her. He'd walk by anyway, to keep an eye out on her home.

At the behest of the chief, members of the agency's command staff have become more visible as well, affected by scheduling changes that have higher ranking officers now taking turns as watch commander on late night and weekend shifts.

Members of the command staff say the change in work schedules is part of "a new emphasis on service, which we're doing our best to implement," said Lt. Tom Chase, head of criminal investigations.

"The increased amount of on-duty coverage by members of the command staff ensures that someone in management is available to handle a potential crisis as much as possible on a continuing basis," Lt. Chase said.

The push toward increased coverage took on an even greater sense of urgency during the sniper crisis that plagued the Washington area last month.

Many officers began coming in on their days off to help bring about a greater police presence, and members of the command staff kept their cell phones at their sides around the clock, Chief Dine said.

Not only were residents fearful, but just beyond the midpoint of the sniper crisis, "information began coming in that made us believe that something was going to happen here," Chief Dine said.

"We all went on high alert, and it precipitated us putting our special plans together among all the police agencies should something actually happen here," he said.

His experience in Washington came in handy as well since he knew the principal players on the sniper task force. Chief Dine took part in the daily conference calls and took members of his command staff to meetings in Montgomery County.

"It was a long three weeks," he said. "We're all relieved it's finally over."

Crisis or not, as the city's top law enforcement officer, Chief Dine is required to make appearances at numerous meetings and events each week, day and night.

In addition to accompanying Mayor Jennifer Dougherty to public forums on the city's cold-weather shelter, he has opened a dialogue with the local NAACP, the group linked to the spying controversy that led to the exit of former chief Ray Raffensberger. And he has met with Stephen Walker, the owner of Xhale, to try to smooth things over with neighbors of the business, who complain that their quality of life is hurt by the nightclub's presence in their community.

"By building bridges, positive things can happen here," Chief Dine said.

"But you've got to communicate. Without that, there's no way for trust to build up."

Likewise, Chief Dine has focused much of his attention on getting to know his staff as he settles in, recognizing that any change in leadership offers its own challenges to everyone.

"What I noticed immediately after coming to Frederick was what a beautiful place it is and the incredible amount of pride the officers of the Frederick Police Department take in working here. They seem to have a true love for their city, which is very impressive."

Mr. Lee, the former alderman, said he's "heard good things" from many Frederick police officers about their new boss. "They're very much pleased with what he's doing."

Frederick Alderman Joe Baldi also offered praise for Chief Dine as he completes his three-month mark with the city.

"He's doing a good job, and he's got a very positive attitude," Mr. Baldi said.

"He's made it clear that he's not here to fix what isn't broken. He's going to study and evaluate things as they are before suggesting new or better ways of doing them. The citizens I've heard from are impressed with what they've seen so far, and they find him approachable and easy to talk to."

Chief Dine and his wife recently purchased a home near Baker Park, meeting the city's residency requirement. His wife, a former NASA research scientist, now stays home to care for their two daughters, ages 11 and 7, who attend public schools.