The BC government has named its new commissioner for teacher regulation.

He's a former BC Supreme Court judge.

Bruce Preston gets the job of overseeing all teacher discipline hearings.

He'll also consider certification appeals, plus review complaints about educator conduct or competence.

In a statement, Preston says he's committed to a fair, swift and transparent process.

The BC Teacher Regulation Branch morphed from the College of Teachers earlier this year, and some of its first decisions were controversial.

In one case, a teacher was suspended, but not fired, for dragging a student across the floor by the hood of his sweatshirt, choking him.