WRENTHAM - The local police department is getting a makeover, and not just with a new police chief.

Police Chief James Anderson has developed a plan to reach out more to the community by expanding community policing. He also has a personnel reorganization in the works.

Anderson, who had been a sergeant for about 20 years until becoming acting lieutenant last November, and had been the Drug Abuse Resistance Education coordinator for the past 17 years, took over from acting Police Chief Richard Gillespie early this month.

Anderson pledged to form a partnership with the community when he was named chief, and is doing just that after only a few weeks on the job.

The police chief last week outlined plans for a comprehensive community policing program before a receptive board of selectmen. He has already reinstituted daily downtown beat walks of patrolmen for one hour in the morning and afternoon.

Once staffing levels are settled, Anderson said a main goal is to have patrolmen participate in neighborhood "walk and talks," where they would knock on the doors of homes to improve communication and relations.

The chief said the officers will inquire about problems that need addressing and explain what the department can offer as assistance.

Such a program would be a first for Wrentham.

Also, bicycle patrols for special events will be enhanced and a motorcycle detail is planned, as well.

"It entails reaching out to the community and trying to make them a part of the solution," Anderson said of the community policing program.

Surveys will be sent to all homeowners, inquiring of their positive and negative dealings with police, and what they would like to see the local police department do, he said.

Two police officers are earmarked for the motorcycle patrols, and a community policing grant would pay for the vehicle. That program likely will get off the ground in the spring, the chief said.

The police department in past years has had community policing through state grant money for bicycle patrols and paying for some police officers salaries.

Regarding the reorganization, Anderson plans to have two lieutenants, one for supervising patrolmen, the other for support services. Sgt. Michael Robillard, who was a finalist for the chief's job, is to be one of the lieutenants.

Anderson had been acting lieutenant since Gillespie, who had been the police department's first and sole lieutenant since November 2003, took over the department last November when Joseph Collamati retired after 13 years as police chief. Gillespie has also just retired.

On top of the planned changes, Anderson plans to begin the process to get the local police department certified through accreditation for the first time. The three- to five-year process will involve a "top-to-bottom" review, including a self-evaluation, the chief explained.

STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.