The New London native took the oath of office in the City Council Chambers before about 40 friends, family and fellow officers from both New London and the state police.

It's always been my goal, said Lynch, 41, who now lives in Niantic. I applied to New London at the same time I applied to the state. The state called first. It's not a new idea. I just put it off for 20 years.

Lynch is a former commander of the state police canine unit. He also served as the executive officer of the firearms task force and was a resident trooper in East Lyme and Ledyard, as well as a patrol officer at Troop E in Montville.

New London Police Chief Bruce Rinehart said Lynch, who was one of four new officers recognized Thursday, was among 16 new hires this year. He also noted that it was nice to get an officer from the state police, to which New London has lost four officers this year.

He brings a wealth of knowledge, training and expertise to an already talented department, the chief said.

Mayor Margaret M. Curtin welcomed Lynch and told the audience that six new positions on the force would be filled beginning in January, as long as the city can find officers who want to work here.

We'll continue to hire officers until we get the department up to full staff, she said. Welcome, Todd. We hope you stay for a long, long time.

Bernadette Welch, the city's personnel director, confirmed that Lynch's hiring brought the department to a full complement of 81 uniformed officers, except for six positions newly authorized for next year. She said Lynch's hiring was a special one because other New London officers recruited him.

City Councilor-elect Mike Buscetto III also welcomed Lynch, as did Lynch's former state police training officer, Maj. Steven Fields. Assistant State's Attorney Peter McShane and City Manager Martin Berliner also attended the ceremony.

Rinehart said Lynch represents an important type of hire, a lateral one, in which the officer is coming from another department with certifications and training in place.

“We can get them on the street a lot sooner, he said. Sometimes it takes as long as 10 months to get an officer on the street when they come from the academy. We'll be seeking more laterals.

Lynch will start his new career as a regular patrol officer on the streets where he grew up.

I was born here, raised here and educated here, he said. I love New London. I'm willing to help any way I can, whatever they need, whatever they ask.

Rinehart also introduced the audience to Razul Wallace, 26, from New York City, who currently lives in Norwich, Anthony Washington, 24, who commutes from Providence, and Dustin Adkins, 25, a Meriden native living in Groton. The three men are in various stages of field service training.

c.potter@theday.com