John Walcek, who has served as Acting Chief since May 2018, was named the official Chief of Police at Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to name Walcek chief, a decision that was met with applause from those in attendance. After being sworn in by Town Clerk Michele Bissonnette, Walcek presented his wife with a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her support, as he said there were many nights, and weekends where he was away from home due to his work.

When asked about being sworn in, Walcek said that not much will change in his role, other than the name, and that ultimately “the officers make the difference.”

Wareham Police Officer Lorenzo Grosso said that Walcek is not afraid to step in and help when he is needed, and that “he’s always there for his officers.”

Wareham officers weren’t the only ones in attendance on Tuesday night. Michael Botieri, the Chief of Police in Plymouth, said that he trained alongside Walcek, and that the Wareham Chief is highly respected by other departments in Plymouth County.

Walcek was appointed acting chief in May 2018, following the departure of former Chief Kevin Walsh in March 2018. 

Walsh became the town's top cop in January of 2015. A lifelong Wareham resident, he has served on the department for more than three decades. He began his career as a seasonal officer and moved up through the roster, achieving the rank of lieutenant in the summer of 2010. Walsh stepped in as interim police chief in November of 2013, after former chief Richard Stanley announced his retirement. 

Stanley, who came to the town as a part-time chief in 2009, was elevated to the full-time post in 2011, following controversy about his salary -- the fifth highest of any police chief in the state at the time.