Norwich — When newly tapped Deputy Police Chief Chris Ferace joined the city department back in 1993, it was about two months after Chief Patrick Daley did the same.

On Thursday, when Ferace’s new position became official during a swearing-in ceremony hosted at City Hall, it was about seven months after Daley's swearing-in as the department's new chief.

“I’ve sort of always been right on his heels,” the 49-year-old Ferace said of Daley, whom he considers one of his closest friends.

Each having just finished his 23rd year of service with the department, the men are relatively young for such top leadership roles. Some people may see that as a weakness, Ferace acknowledged, but he sees it another way.

“The enthusiasm and open-mindedness, the willingness to learn,” he began, listing traits he attributed to younger officers. “One of the advantages we have here is our youth.”

Ferace, who holds a degree in administration of justice from Roger Williams University, found inspiration to become an officer in an unusual place: working as a lifeguard at Ocean Beach.

“It had its moments of adrenaline,” the New London native said. “I got a taste of emergency services — albeit just a small taste — and that intrigued me.”

Ferace landed at Norwich after short stints with then-financially struggling Plainfield and the newly formed Mashantucket Pequot Tribal department. His first beat, he said, was walking one of the busier areas downtown.

“The biggest thing I learned early on was treat people with respect and you’ll get it back — not from everybody, but the majority,” Ferace said. “I learned how to talk to people. Those might sound like clichés, but really, it made my career a whole lot easier.”

When he first signed on, Ferace said he probably wouldn’t have imagined being in the role of deputy chief one day. But with each new promotion, Ferace reprioritized his goals.

Now, he said he “wouldn’t discount” becoming a chief in the future, although “it would have to be the right fit.”

“I’m blessed to have had the opportunities I’ve had,” he said.

Ferace’s last three promotions came at the hands of retired Chief Louis J. Fusaro Sr., who called Ferace’s most recent promotion “a great decision.”

“In Chris Ferace, you have someone you can certainly depend on,” Fusaro said. “He’s been successful in every challenge, every promotion. It makes you proud to be associated with people like that.”

“I could say the same thing about Pat Daley,” he continued. “They’re different people, but they’re forward-focused and always right on top of their game.”

Fusaro promoted Ferace to the rank of sergeant in 2004, then lieutenant in 2011. In 2015, Ferace became a captain with the department.

“Those are some of easiest promotions I ever made,” Fusaro said. “I felt comfortable retiring back in July because I knew people in the department, even going back further than (Daley and Ferace), would carry on our traditions and move the department forward.”

Fusaro isn’t concerned about their youth, either.

Ferace — whom Fusaro described as someone who, despite being “a pretty serious guy,” is able to laugh at himself — is highly qualified, Fusaro said, even though he may be too humble to say that outright.

“We’re been successful in driving crime down in the city,” Fusaro said, “and they’ve both been an integral part of that. I see (the department) going nowhere but up.”

Ferace was joined Thursday by his wife of 20 years, Nancy, and several relatives. He has two grown stepchildren and two grandsons. He described his lengthy marriage as “an accomplishment that should be more recognized.”

“She’s been by my side the whole time, with the good and the bad of the police profession,” he said, commending her for her patience. “The profession takes a toll on many, but we’ve been able to beat the odds.”

l.boyle@theday.com