Joseph Bennett receives his chief’s badge from his wife, Wendy, during Tuesday night’s swearing-in ceremony at the police station. PHOTO/HCAM VIDEO

Joseph Bennett was officially sworn in as Hopkinton police chief during the Select Board’s Tuesday night Zoom meeting. It followed a contract negotiation that was finalized in an executive session.

“This is a true success story, not just for the Police Department but for the town of Hopkinton,” Select Board chair Brendan Tedstone said. “Anytime you can hire someone as a police officer to be promoted to sergeant to lieutenant to deputy chief to chief, it speaks volumes for our department, our town, and the leadership that you had [from previous chiefs]. … You are a true testament to what we look for as police officers in the town.

“To all the younger [officers] that have just recently started, take note that the town of Hopkinton does appreciate the hard work that guys do, and we will reward you by promoting as possible.”

Former HPD Officer Pat O’Brien worked with Bennett for 20 years and offered his congratulations during the meeting.

“He’s always done things the right way and he’s definitely the right guy for the job,” O’Brien said. “I’m so happy that the Board of Selectmen saw to hire from within. You made a great choice, and I can see him leading this department for many years to come.”

After the Select Board unanimously voted to appoint Bennett to the position, Bennett’s wife, Wendy, pinned the chief’s badge on her husband. Town clerk Connor Degan, joining Bennett at the police station, then swore in the new chief.

“I wouldn’t be here today without all the support and mentoring and help that I’ve gotten over the years, and I’m eternally grateful,” Bennett said. “There’s no place right now that I would rather be than working beside these great men and women in service to this fantastic community.”