Waterford — After more than 24 years, there's a new chief in town.

Police Chief Brett Mahoney officially was sworn in on Friday before a crowd of about 100 people at Town Hall.

In attendance was a large contingent of law enforcement officials and chiefs from surrounding towns.

Mahoney was named chief earlier this month with a unanimous vote by the town’s Police Commission.

He had been serving as interim chief following the retirement earlier this year of longtime Chief Murray J. Pendleton, who was first named chief in 1992 and had served in law enforcement for 48 years.

“Most of us have never experienced an event of this importance within our police department,” said Waterford First Selectman Dan Stewart.

Stewart said under Mahoney he expected the department to continue its history of excellence.

State Sen. Paul Formica, R-20th District, said that when he was first selectman in East Lyme, he worked with Pendleton and Mahoney on obtaining a regional patrol boat that is now manned by officers from departments in both towns.

Mahoney also has been part of a team that helped improve the technology infrastructure at the department, and worked toward a possible merger with New London and East Lyme’s emergency dispatch center.

Formica said regional cooperation is part of the challenge law enforcement faces today, “learning to work with one another.”

“Throughout the 20th district the chief is already known for working and extending his hand. I know him to be a harder worker. I know him to be process focused and I know him to be a big picture visionary,” Formica said. “I think the region today has benefitted by your appointment.”

A Westbrook native, Mahoney joined the department in 1995 after a two-year stint with the East Hampton Police Department.

Prior to that, Mahoney worked as a seasonal conservation officer with the former state Department of Environmental Protection patrolling state parks.

Mahoney had earned an undergraduate degree in English and shortly will finish work toward a master’s degree in criminal justice, both from Central Connecticut State University.

He also is a graduate of the national FBI Academy.

Mahoney resides in Waterford with wife, Michelle, and two daughters, ages 10 and 8. His wife was on hand to pin his new chief’s badge to his lapel.

After thanking his family for their support, Mahoney told his daughters, “I know it will won’t be easy for you to be the daughter of a police chief, but we’ll work through it.”

Mahoney, who was surrounded by Waterford police officers during his remarks, thanked officers for the constant efforts in the area of community outreach.

“With the 24-7 news coverage of all the alleged bad things police officers are doing today, remember there is a silent majority of people who support your decisions, support their police department,” Mahoney said. “You’ve all chosen a noble profession. You do the right thing day in and day out. I’m proud to be your police chief.”

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay