LAKEVILLE — Emiliann Melo has been promoted to sergeant for the Lakeville Police Department.

As an overflow crowd of supporters looked on, Lakeville Select Board members at their Feb. 24 meeting unanimously approved Police Chief Matthew Perkins’ recommendation that Melo be made a sergeant.

Perkins said she has his “one hundred percent support.’’

She topped the list for promotion based on her test scores, assessment and experience, he said. 

Melo has been a police officer for 17 years and has worked for the Lakeville Police Department for 13 years, with a stint as acting sergeant in 2020.

She serves as liaison to the town’s senior population. She also works with the critical incident stress management team of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, Perkins said.

Select board members spoke highly of her. “It’s wonderful to see someone grow into the position and the role, and to have homegrown people,’’ Select Board Member Maureen Candito said.