Alibozek has served full time with the Police Department for the last five years after previously working part time in both Cheshire and Lanesborough. Alibozek's familiarity with the department and the town led the selectmen to pick him for the position. 

 

"For the record, though, both candidates offered extremely close skill levels. And I think, within the board, the decision was tough," said Selectman Raymond Killeen. "But the current employee provided slightly more benefits. Not necessarily skill-level benefits, but his association within the community." 

 

Alibozek was one of two finalists interviewed earlier this month. The other was Joshua Dufresne, assistant director of public safety at Mount Holyoke College. Selectman Ronald DeAngelis highlighted Alibozek's emergency medical technician experience as another reason he stood out over other candidates. 

 

"I think that, besides being the police chief, he is going to be available for a lot more emergencies for people than we had in the past," he said. 

 

Board Chair Michelle Francesconi expects Alibozek to continue the strong-chief format as it was when Garner ran the department. She agreed that his experience in the medical field should be helpful as chief if there are delays in other emergency services. 

 

"Having that medical background is going to be essential. And he was a paramedic," she said. 

 

The decision to officially promote Alibozek came on Tuesday, just a day after Garner was honored at the annual town meeting. Garner announced his intentions last year to retire as police chief after working in the department for nearly four decades. 

 

Alibozek's contract will be negotiated and finalized in the coming weeks.