Police Chief Edward Lee (left) recommends to the Board of Selectmen the promotion of Lt. Joseph Bennett (right) to the newly created position of deputy police chief. PHOTO/JIM KLEINKAUF

Selectmen this month unanimously voted to appoint 25-year veteran Hopkinton Police Lt. Joseph Bennett to the newly created position of deputy police chief.

Police Chief Edward Lee formally recommended promoting Bennett to the new position at the town Board of Selectmen meeting on March 5.

“Lt. Bennett is a dedicated professional with proven leadership in interpersonal and communication skills,” Lee said. “He continues to bring creative ideas to fruition through teamwork and results based on leadership.”

Lee explained that Bennett already is second in command at the Hopkinton Police Department, overseeing the budget, records and professional standards including internal affairs and training.

Bennett also serves as the department’s grant administrator, securing more than $1 million in grant funds for equipment, training, overtime and hiring, Lee told selectmen, noting that Bennett was able to use federal funding to create the School Resource Officer program and hire two officers for it.

Lee listed a long list of achievements by Bennett during his 25 years on the force, including creating and implementing the recent consolidation of the public safety dispatch system.
Bennett also is a member of the Boston Marathon executive planning team.

“He is primarily responsible for the security plan and deployment of internal and external resources,” Lee said. “This collaboration brings over 900 officers from over 60 agencies, including seven states and seven federal agencies.”

Added Lee: “Bennett has received recognition from the state House of Representatives for his work on the Tri-County Drug Task Force. He has also been recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work in preventing drunk driving.”

In 2009 Bennett received the department’s Meritorious Service Award after he arrested a man armed with a knife without any serious injuries to the suspect or officers involved.

“It’s truly humbling,” Bennet said in response to his appointment. “I know I couldn’t have accomplished half of what I have without the blessing of the people I am surrounded by in the department and in my personal life, the strong leadership and commitment that my chiefs have shown, including Chief Lee.”

Bennett also thanked his wife, Wendy, for the extra work she put in during the years he worked the night shift.

Selectman and longtime resident Brendan Tedstone had high praise for the new deputy chief.

“You have been a shining star in this town since 1993. I know because I’ve been in this town since 1993 and before that,” Tedstone said. “We as a community are lucky to have someone of your caliber on the police force.

“I look in the audience and I see a lot of the guys on the force that I’ve known since they got on, some before that. They’re all better police officers because of your tutelage, your patience and your leadership.”

Joseph Bennett sits with his wife, Wendy, and grandchildren, Hopper, 5 and Mable, 2, at the March 5 Board of Selectmen meeting. PHOTO/JIM KLEINKAUF