ROCHESTER - Robert Small was sworn in as Rochester’s new police chief on Friday, Sept. 14.

Small replaced Paul Magee, who had served as Rochester Police Chief for 15 years.

Magee announced his plans to retire in September 2017, and then-sergeant Small was named as his successor in March.

Small has been with the Rochester Police Department for 20 years, and was promoted to sergeant in 2013. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College, and earned a law degree from the Southern New England College School of Law in 2009.

The Board of Selectmen named Small as the new chief after a public interview, where the asked him about speeding, traffic safety, and the department’s involvement with the town.

Magee got his start as a police officer as a summer officer on the Wareham Police Department more than 30 years ago. He then worked part-time for the Marion Police Department until moving to a full-time position at the Mattapoisett Police Department in 1988. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in Mattapoisett in 1994, and remained on the force until he was selected as Rochester’s police chief in 2003.