Groton — The city's new police chief is Thomas Davoren, who has more than three decades of law enforcement experience.

"They were gracious enough to offer me the position. This department and city has treated me well, and it's a privilege to accept it," Davoren said Friday after the ceremony in which he was sworn in by Mayor Marian Galbraith in the Council Chambers. "It's a good department, and we look forward to doing some good work."

The mayor appointed Davoren as the chief of police and the City Council approved the appointment Monday.

"The Council and I are very pleased that Tom has accepted the appointment and proud to have someone of his caliber and experience leading our police force," Galbraith said in a statement.

Davoren succeeds Bruno Giulini, who retired last month after 10 years in the position. Davoren was appointed interim police administrator last September. In March, he was named captain of the city's police department.

He has 32 years of law enforcement experience, including more than 26 years with the Connecticut State Police. His last position was as a state police colonel and commanding officer.

Davoren now leads a department of 30 officers, including two lieutenants and five sergeants.

On his first day as chief, Davoren said he toured the West Side Middle School, which will have double the normal number of students on the first day of school due to the middle school consolidation process.

"It's going to be a pretty interesting time for that school in the city, and we're going to have a pretty good presence there," he said. "We look forward to working with the parents and the kids."

Davoren said he also plans to maintain the professionalism of the department and interact with the local community.

j.mcdermott@theday.com