Timothy Sorrell was offered the job as chief of police Monday night after serving 28 years on the force.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Timothy Sorrell was nearly speechless when he left the Selectmen's office Monday night. 

 

"It has been 28 years and, finally, we're there," Sorrell said as dozens of supporters shook his hand offering congratulations.

 

Just moments earlier the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to offer Sorrell the job as chief of police. Sorrell has been an officer in the department since 1987 and just 12 years ago, he was the runner up for the position.

 

"I'm shocked, in awe, surprised, happy. It's been a long road," Sorrell said. "I'm ready for a new start."

 

Current Chief Mark Bashara announced his upcoming retirement late last year and the town launched a process for finding his replacement.

 

The Police Advisory Commission interviewed Sorrell along with two others and ultimately, threw their support behind the investigator.

 

"The three candidates we had all interviewed very well," said Police Advisory Committee Chairman Marvin Michalak. "We like his work ethic. We like his participation. We like his volunteerism."

 

Sorrell moved up the ladder since becoming a full-time patrolman in 1987 and was a sergeant for 12 years when he applied for the chief's position in 2003. He received the Police Advisory Commission's recommendation then, too, but the Board of Selectmen opted for Bashara instead. He became an investigator instead.

 

Outside of the job, he served in a number of roles including holding a seat on the School Committee and is currently the chairman of the recreation committee, and head of the Williamstown Lanesborough Youth Basketball League.

 

"A lot of us have worked with or around him for several years. He knows the community and everybody in it," said Selectman Robert Ericson on why Sorrell stood out for him. "He's not the guy who just does his job and then goes home. He does so much for the community."

 

That community effort paid off for Sorrell. The investigator submitted more than 50 letters of recommendation from townspeople with his resume. On Monday, supporters couldn't even get through the door to see what they expected would be just another interview and they all offered their congratulations once he left the room.

 

"I'm so happy with the community support," Sorrell said.

 

Selectmen Chairman John Goerlach added that Sorrell has been an "excellent officer who has good judgment." He said Sorrell was "the best candidate for the job."

 

"His job performance has been excellent," Selectman Henry "Hank" Sayers said.

 

In his interviews, Sorrell emphasized that his management style would be focused on getting the officers to have "vested interest" in their jobs. That means getting the training and experience in the particular fields of policing they want. He said he'd be actively looking for grants or other revenue to help work within the current budget. And, he says he prefers that the job is for a "working chief" because he wants to spend his days doing community policing and the administrative work after.

 

"I'm used to putting in long hours and I am used to putting in time with my kids and the kids in the community," Sorrell told the Board of Selectmen.

 

The Selectmen said they liked all of the candidates and that his intimate knowledge of the town and the town's comfort with him put Sorrell over the hump.

 

"If you read the resumes, the other three people were all strong candidates," Ericson said. "If Tim [Sorrell] wasn't here, either of them would have been a good chief."

 

Bashara will retire at the end of May and the Selectmen have previously said they'd like the new chief to come on a little early to learn the job. Sorrell still needs to negotiate a contract with the Selectmen.