A bit under two months after Police Chief James Viadero announced he was leaving the department, the Police Commission named Lt. David Kullgren as Newtown's next chief of police.

"I was hoping this was something I'd only have to do once as a police commissioner," said Police Commission Chairman Joel Faxon at the commission's January 25 meeting, referencing his involvement in hiring Viadero six years ago. "But this is the hard work the voters voted us in to do."

Kullgren is the department's administrative services bureau commander and has served in the NPD for over 20 years. He is a Newtown resident.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the men and women in the Newtown Police Department and serving the community to the best of my ability," said Kullgren.

Kullgren said as the new chief he is "looking to emulate" Viadero.

"We all look up to him," said Kullgren.

Faxon said Viadero's departure for a job with the state left "big shoes to fill," and there were "many qualified applicants" that made choosing the chief "a difficult decision."

"The really high level caliber of all the applicants really speaks to Kullgren's qualifications," said Joan Plouffe.

Viadero announced his departure on December 7. As chief inspector at the Office of the Inspector General, he will be responsible for investigating police shootings, "a very important role that we fully support him in," said Faxon.

Reporter Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.