ROCKLAND — The ranks within the Rockland Police Department changed Monday morning, when Chief Bruce Boucher announced a new detective and a new acting detective sergeant.

Detective Russell Thompson was assigned the job of acting detective sergeant for the department's Criminal Investigations Division, and officer Joel Neal was assigned the position of detective for the police department. Thompson's and Neal's new assignments fill the vacancy opened when former Detective Sgt. Christopher Young was promoted in February to deputy chief, according to Boucher in a press release late Monday morning.

"Detective Sgt. Thompson is a dedicated professional who has worked tirelessly as a detective for the Rockland Police Department and the City of Rockland," said Deputy Chief Young. "He is respected by his peers and performs his duties consistent with the department's values. I am very confident that Russ will be able to lead the Criminal Investigations Division and continue with the legacy of being a division that is called upon for its expertise not only by other members of the Rockland Police Department but by other law enforcement agencies as well."

Thompson is a retired veteran of the U.S. Navy, a 1997 graduate of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and has been with the city's police department for 19 years. During his tenure, he has held the positions of patrol officer, harbor patrol member (since 1998) and motor cycle patrol members since 2000. In 2005, Thompson was assigned to the position of detective.

In 2007, Thompson became a certified instructor through the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and in 2009, he became a department firearms instructor and is currently the lead firearms instructor for the Rockland Police Department.

Three patrol officers competed for the detective assignment last month, according to Boucher, establishing an eligibility list. Ultimately, Neal, a 17-year veteran with the department, was given the assignment.

"Detective Neal is a dedicated professional, who is respected by his peers, displays a strong work ethic and performs his duties consistent with the department's values," said Boucher. "I am fully confident that Joel will be a valuable asset to the Criminal Investigations Division."

Like Thompson, Neal has held a variety of positions within the department, including field training officer and motorcycle patrol officer (since 2002). Neal is also a certified firearms instructor, as well as certified in MARC and TASER use for law enforcement, for both the department and the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

Neal is a 1997 graduate of the state Academy, and recently retired from with U.S. Army after spending a combined 30 years of active and reserve duties.