New London — The New London Police Department will promote a new captain this week and fill a vacancy that has been a source of frustration for the local police union.

Lt. Matt Galante, 45, married and a father of two, will be sworn in as captain in a closed virtual ceremony on Wednesday. He fills the position of retired Capt. Lawrence J. Keating Jr., who left the department in January 2020. It is one of three captain positions at the department.

Galante’s promotion was announced by city officials on Wednesday during a virtual hearing with the state Board of Labor Relations. The local union had filed two labor complaints, one over alleged “bad faith bargaining” related to a promotional list that had expired and the other over the city’s slow movement on promoting a captain.

Local union President Todd Lynch said communication between the city administration, police chief and union is lacking.

“We’re not on the same page. Especially when you notify us of a promotion during a hearing where we’re fighting for the promotion,” Lynch said.

Galante comes to his new position with 22 years of law enforcement experience, having started his career in Guilford in 1998. He began his career in New London in 2001 “and we were glad to have him,” New London police Capt. Brian Wright said.

“He’s a great leader and police officer and most importantly a tremendous person,” Wright said.

Galante has served in many roles at the department: patrol officer in the Safe Neighborhoods Program, marine patrol, detective, a canine handler and a certified member of the Crisis Intervention Unit. During his five years working with his German shepherd partner, Ike, Galante earned the Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award from the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association for his work tracking down two different suicidal individuals in 2008.

He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut who was promoted to detective in 2009, to sergeant in 2013 and to lieutenant in 2016. Galante, who graduated from UConn with a degree in sociology with a minor in criminal justice, had attended an internship with the New London Police Department and has said it helped steer him toward a career in law enforcement.

Galante will be in charge of the support services division with oversight of evidence, dispatch, records and training. He is already responsible for piloting a new records management system at the department.

He joins Wright and Capt. Todd Bergeson as the three highest-ranking officers at the department under Chief Peter Reichard.

Lynch called Galante “a capable and very talented person,” and wished him and his family well. He said the promotion will leave a vacant lieutenant’s position. In the event of a lieutenant promotion, there will be a sergeant’s position available.

Promotional tests for both lieutenant and sergeant positions were completed last year and officers are “on eggshells” waiting to see who will be promoted and when, Lynch said. The city uses the rule of three when making a promotion, choosing an individual from among the top three best-scoring candidates in written and oral exams.

“You’re kind of stringing these people along,” Lynch said of candidates. “What do you tell the current top three on the sergeant and lieutenant lists. What are we waiting for?”

Wright said he was not aware of any further promotions scheduled for Wednesday.

g.smith@theday.com