WILTON — Police officer Chad Abbott was promoted last week to the position of sergeant within the Wilton Police Department.

Abbott, 41, who’s been working with the department since last June, is a field training officer, academy-certified instructor and has investigative and interrogation skills, police Chief Heidi Wilcox said Tuesday.

“I’m thrilled to have him become sergeant,” she said. “He has great leadership skills and always goes above and beyond what’s requested. He makes himself available to younger officers. It’s good they have someone else they can call.” 

Abbott, originally from Carrabassett Valley, is in his 17th year in law enforcement. He came to Wilton last June from a position in northern Maine, so that he and his wife could be closer to family members in the Wilton area. They have four children, he said.

He’s found the local department to be a busy place with lots to do, he said. There’s also a good chief to work for, and Wilton people are nice.

As sergeant, Abbott will cover overlaps in shifts, Wilcox said. He’s currently covering for officer Tim Coombs, who is out for medical issues.

He is also managing OUI and underage drinking grants for the department and is the department’s representative with the Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services group, she said.

abryant@sunjournal.com

abryant@sunjournal.com