MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro has a new police chief.

With unanimous approval from the select board and to the cheers of his fellow department members literally standing behind him, Robert Ferreira was named interim police chief at the Oct. 21 Select Board meeting.

“I want to thank everyone who came out to support me,’’ the chief said, moments after being sworn in by Town Clerk Pamela Menconi. 

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve the Town of Middleboro,’’ he said.

Ferreira previously served as deputy chief. He is a long-time member of the department. 

He replaces former Police Chief Joseph Perkins, who recently retired. Perkins attended the ceremony to support Ferreira and enveloped him in a warm embrace after the swearing in. 

The new chief is “fully supported by the staff,’’ Town Manager Jay McGrail said. “I haven’t met one person with a negative thing to say about him. He’s a great leader. We’re lucky to have him.’’

Select Board Member Teresa Farley thanked Perkins for his work in town. “I can’t think of a better person to replace him,’’ she said.

Select Board Chair Mark Germain echoed the positive sentiments. “I have the utmost confidence in Ferreira, he said.