Lovelace sworn in as new North Branford chief of police

NORTH BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — North Branford has a new top cop, Chief James Lovelace.

From walking the halls as a student in North Branford schools to being sworn in at the new high school as chief of police on Wednesday night. In between that time, Chief Lovelace has had a long journey with the department since joining in 2006. From serving in areas like SWAT team, accident reconstruction and leadership, he has seen it all.

“I know what they face in their shoes,” Chief Lovelace said. “And when I can relate to that, then I can more effectively lead them.”

Sworn in as well during the ceremony is Deputy Chief Michael Pendleton, coming to North Branford after 25 years with Connecticut State Police. His arrival comes as part of the grand opening of their new $16 million police station.

“Coming from the state police, I’ve never been in a new department in my career. [It] comes with enthusiasm, new energy, people looking forward to moving into a state-of-the-art facility,” Deputy Chief Pendleton said.

Chief Lovelace said they are also expanding services by bringing in a regional computer crime team partnered with Secret Service.

Officials within the department said these additions will allow them to serve the growing community — that they will continue to fight for and protect — better.

“The town of North Branford, they absolutely support their police. They support law enforcement,” Pendleton said.

Unlike most police departments across the state, Chief Lovelace said his department is fully staffed. He said if you are interested in working at that new station they should be hiring in the next few months.

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