Waterford — Interim Police Chief Marc Balestracci was appointed as the town's new chief by the Board of Police Commissioners last Thursday.

Balestracci has served as the interim chief since October, following the retirement of Chief Brett Mahoney. 

"I thank the First Selectman and Waterford Police Commission for their vote of confidence in selecting me for this important position.  Waterford is a great town and I am incredibly humbled to serve here in this new position," Balestracci said Sunday.

According to a news release, First Selectman Rob Brule and the Police Commission, over the past several months, have reviewed the performance of Balestracci, who has been a member of the department for more than 20 years, moving up through the ranks from officer to sergeant to lieutenant, and now chief of the department.

Balestracci, who has a bachelor's degree in public safety administration and an associate's degree in criminal justice, was hired by the department in 2001. Prior to that, he served in Connecticut's Army National Guard for eight years. 

The Police Commission also considered applications from two other internal candidates, said the release.

Police Commission Chairman Mark Gelinas said he was very pleased with the selection of Balestracci, noting his commitment to the town through both his professional roles at the police department and his personal involvement as a prior member of the Representative Town Meeting and Board of Selectmen.

"In Chief Balestracci, the town will have a hard-working, smart, community oriented and strong Chief, who has called Waterford his home for many years," Gelinas said.

In his time at the department, Balestracci has been part of community outreach projects, including the creation of the Citizen's Police Academy in 2012, an annual free program meant to build relationships with residents and give them a better understanding of what police officers do every day. He also worked many years with Waterford Youth Services, helping plan and run events and form its youth basketball league.

Gelinas said Balestracci will uphold the value of the department's culture and the need to diversify its personnel.

"As an internal candidate, he knows the very difficulties that the department has faced in attracting candidates in general, and candidates of diverse backgrounds, who are then able to pass the rigorous vetting process," Gelinas said, according to the release. "He knows the local and state resources available to aid in attracting diverse candidates, and he recognizes the need to continue identifying and pursuing new opportunities."

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Chief Balestracci for over a decade, both as a Town of Waterford police officer and as an elected official, and am pleased that the Board of Police Commissioners unanimously appointed him chief of police," First Selectman Rob Brule added.

Brule said he is expecting continued good things ahead for the department under the leadership of Balestracci. He said the town plans a formal ceremony in the near future.

Balestracci said Sunday he is "proud to have been selected to lead the fine men and women of the Waterford Police Department."

"Our team works very hard to build relationships with our community while maintaining a positive work culture in challenging times," he said, adding his internal focus is on officer development, officer wellness and increasing diversity within the department.

Other priorities will be community outreach, traffic safety and professional service to the community. 

j.vazquez@theday.com