WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Nearly two years after the last chief resigned, the Williamstown Police Department has a new permanent chief.

 

On Tuesday afternoon, Town Manager Robert Menicocci announced that Michael Ziemba will be the next chief of police in the town after serving for nearly two years as an acting and later interim chief.

 

Ziemba said Tuesday afternoon that it was an easy decision to apply for the full-time decision.

 

"I've been here 22-plus years, and I'm committed to the town and the department and the betterment of both of those," Ziemba said. "I'm honored that I have the support of the town manager and town leaders and the community and we have a chance to continue the work we're doing."

 

Ziemba, then a lieutenant in the department, took the reins of the WPD in a tumultuous period growing out of the publication of a whistle-blower lawsuit alleging racist conduct and sexual misconduct in the department.

 

He was elevated to interim chief by interim Town Manager Charlie Blanchard in a decision that sparked still more controversy over the role of an advisory committee put in place to assist Blanchard in that process.

 

When the previous police chief's mid-December resignation was followed closely by the departure of the then-town manager, the Select Board stated a preference for waiting to let the next town manager appoint a full-time chief.

 

The search for a permanent town manager then dragged on longer than expected, with one round of finalist interviews failing to produce a candidate. Menicocci was hired after a second search process that concluded in the spring; he started in the job on July 1.

 

"The past two years have been challenging for the police department, and Mike has shown great vision and determination in rebuilding the public trust," Menicocci said in a news release. "He has the experience and integrity needed to build the level of professionalism within the department that the town expects."

 

Ziemba is a native of North Berkshire and worked on his family's dairy farm in Adams before beginning his career in law enforcement.

 

He holds degrees in criminal justice and environmental science and is a graduate of FBI's Law Enforcement Executive Development Association courses and Roger Williams University's Command Series Program.

 

With the WPD, Ziemba has been a K-9 handler, court officer, school liaison and fleet supervisor.

 

During his time as interim chief, Ziemba connected the WPD with the Justice Department's Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships program, which aims to help local law enforcement agencies build trust in their communities. He also has worked toward earning accreditation for the department.

 

Ziemba said he has felt "quite a bit" of support from the community during his time as interim chief.

 

"I've felt the community, overall, is happy with the direction we're going in," he said. "It's evident from the participation in all the events we're doing and the community policing we're doing — from the kickball games, the board game nights, the holiday gathering we just had — the support is there."

 

He also acknowledged that there are some in the community who will not be pleased with his appointment.

 

"We continue to do our job and continue to listen and continue to make ourselves better," Ziemba said. "That's what we do."

 

Menicocci is the town's hiring authority. He reports directly to the elected Select Board. On Tuesday, the chair of that board offered his congratulations to Ziemba.

 

"I fully support the town manager's selection of Chief Ziemba as Williamstown's police chief," Hugh Daley said in the news release. "I'm happy that Chief Ziemba will get the chance to continue the many improvement projects he's started at the WPD.

 

"From accreditation, to improved community outreach, to recruiting, I believe Mike is the right person for the job, and I know he will do the job right."