The deputy chief of the Fredericton Police Force has been promoted to the department’s top job.

Martin Gaudet will replace outgoing chief Roger Brown, who has been on the job for three years.

Gaudet, whose appointment was approved by councillors on Monday, will officially become chief on Friday.

While this is a new role for the veteran police officer, he is certainly no stranger to residents of the provincial capital.

Since joining Fredericton police in 1995, Gaudet has worked in patrols, as a neighbourhood officer, in training and media, the office of professional standards, and as a staff sergeant in charge of special teams.

He became an inspector in late 2013, at which time he also took over the role of officer-in-charge of the force’s primary response team. Just over a year later, in May 2015, he was promoted to deputy chief.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with our outgoing Chief Roger Brown for the past few years, and I look forward to building on the legacy he’s created,” Gaudet said in a news release.

“I look forward in continuing to serve and protect Fredericton with professionalism, integrity, respect, compassion, and accountability.”

Brown was appointed as chief in 2019 on a three-year renewable appointment. He succeed Leanne Fitch, who retired after more than three decades in policing, including six as chief.

Before joining the Fredericton Police Force, Brown had a 36-year career with the RCMP, which included time as New Brunswick’s top Mountie.

Fredericton’s current Deputy Police Chief, Martin Gaudet will take over as the City’s new Police Chief on August 26. Gaudet will replace outgoing Police Chief Roger Brown, who is retiring from the Fredericton Police Force. @CityFredPolice More info: https://t.co/CLZA1OCn4A pic.twitter.com/QGAvB0owZD

— City of Fredericton (@CityFredGov) August 22, 2022