Wilton’s Police Department is plagued by problems.

It has been investigated by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s Board of Trustees and the Maine Chiefs of Police Association. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department has been forced to take over certain cases, including assaults and sexual misconduct involving minors. Officer morale is low, and some town residents and the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office have lost faith in the department.

Into this brier patch steps a new chief, Wayne Gallant.

Appointed by Wilton selectmen on Tuesday, Gallant will take over the troubled department on Feb. 7.

He’s just the man to set things straight.

Gallant is an experienced administrator and detective, serving more than 20 years with the Rumford police. He holds a degree in criminal justice from the University of Maine at Augusta and has regionwide experience coordinating the combined efforts of multiple police agencies. He helped establish the property crime task force and has developed expertise in the investigation of domestic assaults and child sexual abuse cases. He has been a D.A.R.E. officer and is an Army veteran.

He’s well-respected in the community and among other officers, and is open, responsive and accessible.

It will take time and hard work to repair the department’s reputation and restore the confidence of its officers and the community. If past performance is an indicator of the future, Gallant is up to the job.