New London — Police promoted Officer Joseph “Joe” Pelchat, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, to the rank of sergeant during a ceremony at City Hall on Monday.

A 2002 graduate of Ella T. Grasso Technical High School in Groton, Pelchat joined the force in 2008.

Pelchat, a field training officer, largely has worked in narcotics alongside state police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He also has spent time in the patrol division.

Before joining New London police, Pelchat served four years in the Marine Corps, where he achieved the rank of sergeant and twice was deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom, the military effort to combat Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Pelchat has two children, both boys: Jacob, 6, and Landon, 3.