Residents Invited To Police Chief, Deputy Chief Swearing In Ceremony

NORTH BRANFORD, CT —The entire town is invited to the swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed Chief of Police James Lovelace, and Deputy Police Chief Michael Pendleton.

The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Branford Auditorium between the High School and Intermediate School at 654 Foxon Road, North Branford. After the ceremony, light refreshments will be served in the Auditorium lobby.

Lovelace has been a town resident since 1980, and is married to Justine Lovelace, and has two daughters Eden and Cora Lovelace. He graduated from North Branford High School, and received a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut and a Master’s in public administration from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Chief Lovelace joined the North Branford Police Department in 2006, and during his tenure he has served a police officer, sergeant, lieutenant, Acting Chief, Deputy Chief, and now Chief of Police. He also had extensive leadership training at Quantico, Virgina and has served on the regional “Special Weapons and Tactics” (SWAT) team. Since 2017, Chief Lovelace has worked on the planning and construction of the new North Branford Police Station.

Pendleton joined the North Branford Police Department this spring following his retirement from the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office. Deputy Chief Pendleton has over 25 years of dedicated law enforcement experience with the Connecticut State Police. He retired at the rank of Major while serving as the Commanding Officer of the Central District Headquarters, and also supervised the Central District Major Crime Unit. Deputy Chief Pendleton has a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts and a Master of Arts degree from Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He has served as a state trooper, sergeant, acting commanding officer, lieutenant, acting captain, and Major.

All are welcome to join the North Branford Police Commission is honoring these two new North Branford chiefs.