HARTFORD — The town has tapped a veteran officer from within its own ranks to serve as its new police chief.

Lt. Comdr. Constance “Connie” Kelley will replace outgoing Chief Gregory Sheldon, who is scheduled to retire effective Feb. 28, according to a Tuesday news release.

Kelley has served on Hartford’s police force for 26 years in roles that have included deputy chief, acting chief, and as lieutenant commander of the Patrol Division, according to the town’s announcement.

“I am thrilled that we have been able to promote from within to fill this very important position,” Town Manager John Haverstock said in the news release. “This demonstrates HPD’s strong bench and the importance we place on developing future leaders.”

No outside search was conducted for the position. Kelley’s salary will be $126,000 per year.

Speaking by phone on Wednesday, Kelley said that she’s happy to be taking a new role in a familiar department.

“It’s family,” she said, adding that her years with the Hartford police force have been “some of the best 26 years I’ve had.”

Kelley is no stranger to the department’s top office, having served as acting chief from May 2022 to February 2023.

The past five years have been filled with leadership changes at the department.

When former Chief Phil Kasten retired in February 2021, the department tapped Hartford officer Brad Vail to serve as interim chief. Vail then departed for a job with Barre’s police force in May 2022, and Kelley was appointed acting chief.

The police union — New England Police Benevolent Association Local 405 — voted unanimously in December 2022 to support Kelley for the permanent position. However, Kelley did not apply for the position by the deadline and so her application was not considered at that time, Haverstock said by phone Tuesday afternoon.

In February 2023, the town hired Sheldon as its new chief.

Sheldon announced his resignation on Dec. 30, 2024.

“My decision has nothing to do with my position, responsibilities, town staff, or police department staff,” he said by email in December. “It is all based on my personal life.”

In Hartford, Sheldon spearheaded the creation of Community Outreach Division designed to complement and support the work of the patrol and criminal investigation units. It is part of a community policing effort aimed at using data to make police officers’ call response more efficient and to analyze areas where more police presence is needed.

Now Kelley will oversee the growth and maturation of the division, which, Kelley said, is “absolutely” aligned with her goals. The division held its first “HartStat,” meeting, a monthly public data presentation, this week, which Kelley described as “eye-opening.”

“I was impressed with the amount of people who were in that room from different departments,” including the Vermont Division of Children and Family Services, Probation and Parole, and community organizations, she said.

Kelley’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Marc h 3 at 9 a.m. at Town Hall, Room 1. A public reception in honor of K elley’s promotion will be held soon, w ith details to come.

Christina Dolan can be reached at cdolan@vnews.com or 603-727-3208.