MILLIS - Pending successful contract negotiations, Sgt. Christopher Soffayer will be the town's next police chief.

Soffayer, an 18-year veteran of the Millis Police Department, was appointed to the job at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, pending the outcome of contract negotiations with the town.

The town has been seeking a permanent police chief since August when former chief Keith Edison announced his retirement.

Sgt. William Dwyer has since filled in as interim police chief.

Names of other candidates interviewed for the job were not made public.

Interim Town Administrator Suzanne Kennedy called the process “long, comprehensive and thorough.”

The search began in September with the hiring of BadgeQuest to help evaluate candidates’ leadership skills. The law enforcement employment consulting firm provided each candidate with a series of scenarios to evaluate their competencies in 16 different areas, Kennedy said Monday.

Selectman James McCaffrey said the town has confidence in Soffayer’s ability to hold the police chief job, as he has had a “high visibility role in town for many years.”

“We look forward to accomplishments in addressing challenges and for the opportunity to make new contributions in town,” he said.

Soffayer, in a prepared statement Monday, spoke about the importance of community policing and thanked the community for supporting him and the police department through the tough times.

“I understand there may be some daunting tasks or challenges that arise, however, I have nothing but confidence in the Millis Police Department and community,” he said. “Together, we’ll be able to achieve and accomplish great things.”

Soffayer could not be reached for further comment Wednesday.

In addition to the lengthy vetting process, candidates were subject to a comprehensive background check and daylong psychological examination.

The emphasis on the background check and psychological exam came after selectmen discussed an "after action" report on last year’s hoax shooting incident involving a rookie cop faking a shooting and calling in a bomb threat to the high school, sparking a manhunt for a shooter that didn’t exist.

The officer involved in the shooting, Bryan Johnson, was found dead in his home shortly after being indicted on six charges relating to the hoax.

Zachary Comeau can be reached at 508-634-7556 and zcomeau@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZComeau_MDN.