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Waterford commissioners unanimously launch external chief selection process
Summary
On Jan. 8, 2026, the Waterford Board of Police Commissioners entered executive session and then voted unanimously to begin a search for a chief of police that will include external oral-board interviews through the Law Enforcement Council of Connecticut.
The Waterford Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 8 to begin the selection process for a new chief of police and to involve the Law Enforcement Council of Connecticut in external oral-board interviews.
The special meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium by Commissioner M. Gelinas, who established a quorum. At 5:02 p.m. Commissioner J. Dimmock moved and Commissioner C. Gamble seconded a motion to enter executive session; Chief M. Balestracci and Human Resources Director Christine Walters were included in the closed session. The board returned to open session at 5:33 p.m. The minutes state no votes or formal actions were taken during the executive session.
After returning to open session, Commissioner T. Sheridan moved and Commissioner J. Dimmock seconded a motion "to begin the Chief of Police selection process in accordance with established policy to include Law Enforcement Council of Connecticut participation for external oral board interviews." The motion passed unanimously. The board then voted to adjourn at 5:35 p.m.; that motion was made by Commissioner J. Dimmock and seconded by Commissioner T. Sheridan and also passed unanimously.
The meeting record identifies the five commissioners present — Commissioners R. Brule, M. Gelinas, J. Dimmock, C. Gamble and T. Sheridan — along with Chief M. Balestracci and Human Resources Director Christine Walters. The meeting was recorded as "Respectfully submitted by: Diane E. Driscoll, Recording Secretary."
The board action on Jan. 8 initiates the formal process for filling the department's top post and explicitly includes external oral-board interviews conducted with the Law Enforcement Council of Connecticut; the minutes do not specify a timeline, candidate pool, or interim leadership arrangements. No substantive debate, public comment, or individual votes against the motions are recorded in the minutes.
Next steps: the commission has authorized the selection process; the minutes do not list a schedule or date for oral-board interviews, candidate filing deadlines, or when a finalist might be chosen.
