FRYEBURG – Wayne A. Brooking Jr. was appointed to the post of Fryeburg police chief at a meeting Thursday.

The Fryeburg Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 in favor of the appointment, Chairman Allan Trumbull said Friday.

“I think he brings knowledge about the area from having worked for the Police Department for the last 11 years,” he added.

Trumbull also said Brooking has demonstrated the leadership skills necessary to train and guide officers in the department.

Brooking will be the third police chief to serve Fryeburg this year. He has been serving as acting police chief since the departure of former Chief Tom Hoepner in October.

Hoepner was hired in April to fill the post left vacant by David Miles, who resigned abruptly in the fall of 2003.

Trumbull said Brooking was a finalist for the position of police chief when Hoepner was hired. For that reason, the board of selectmen did not go through a formal hiring process before appointing Brooking, he said.

Neither Brooking nor Town Manager Phil Covelli were available for comment Friday.

Trumbull said Brooking will be in charge of three full-time employees at the police department and four or five part-timers.