WILTON -- A 14-year officer who was the lead detective in the New Haven Police Department homicide division in Connecticut is Wilton's new lieutenant.

Edward Page Reynolds, 42, of Hamden, Conn., retired this year from the New Haven force and starts his new job July 13.

The $40,000 salaried position is funded for one year through a combination of a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and from the Wilton Police Department's overtime and emergency coverage budgets. It will not add any additional cost to local taxpayers, Chief Dennis Brown has said.

Voters at the 2010 town meeting will decide if they want to make the lieutenant's position permanent.

Selectmen, in a special meeting Tuesday, approved hiring both Reynolds and Nathan Reid, 28, of Strong. Reid will replace patrol officer Mark Przeslak, who has resigned, Brown said. Reid worked for the Farmington Police Department from 2002 to 2007 and recently was transportation director at School Administrative District 9.

Reynolds's experience in law enforcement includes burglary, robbery, narcotics, sexual-assault and hate-crime investigations. He is a certified hostage negotiator and a police trainer, Brown said.

In addition, he is an ordained minister, holds a master's degree in education from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and for two years, taught high-risk adolescents in New Haven, according to Brown.

There were 47 applicants from across the country with seven finalists for the detective's position, the chief said.

"(Reynolds) was looking for a position where he could use his investigative skills and could gain administrative experience," Brown said. "We are very pleased."

Reynolds, who has traveled to Maine, wanted to relocate his family, which includes two teenage sons, out of the New Haven suburbs, Brown said.

Selectmen Russell Black was on the selection committee that chose Reynolds. He called the new officer outstanding.

"He is a very good communicator, a good listener, very well-educated and very family-oriented. He is experienced and very motivated," Black said. "I am glad he is coming to Wilton."

Betty Jespersen -- 778-6991

bjespersen@centralmaine.com