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WRENTHAM - For the first time, the local police department has two lieutenants.

A reorganization of the department by new Police Chief James Anderson has led to longtime Sgt. Michael Robillard and Detective Sgt. William McGrath being appointed to the lieutenant positions, which are the second highest posts in the department.

McGrath, who in recent years has overseen court matters, will be a detective lieutenant, remaining responsible for court but also other support services, Anderson said. President of the police officers' union for several years, McGrath was a patrolman for six years before becoming patrol sergeant in 2003 and detective sergeant in 2006.

McGrath is a member of the Norfolk County Police Anti-Crime Task Force, a unit comprised from 14 police departments that focuses on drug enforcement, violent crimes and fugitive apprehension.

He is also a member of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council Investigations Unit, a regional consortium of 40 area police departments that provide investigative services and resources to member departments in times of crisis on a moments notice. Robillard, who joined the department as a patrolman in 1995 and was named sergeant in 1998, will oversee patrolmen. Robillard served as the department's firearm instructor for several years and is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy.

Robillard has been a member of METROSTAR, a regional response team from 40-plus area police departments.

The changes are now in effect, with Robillard and McGrath being sworn in at this past week's selectmen meeting.

Also sworn in is a new sergeant, Jeffery Smith, who had been a patrolman since 1994. He will oversee the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, Anderson said.

Smith is well known to senior citizens through his work with TRIAD, a partnership between seniors, law enforcement and the council on aging. Smith has also been active for many years in the Wrentham Police DARE program, serving under Anderson, who was the DARE officer for years. Smith will now supervise and teach the DARE program.

McGrath and Robillard had applied for police chief, with Robillard a finalist.

McGrath's former position and some others won't be filled for now.

"As we rebuild the department with personnel, we will fill those positions," Anderson said.

The department, which at one time had five sergeants, is now down to three. There are two other patrolmen slots that still need to be filled, Anderson said, one vacated due to a retirement, the other because a patrolman joined the Attleboro Police Department.

Anderson had been a sergeant for about 20 years until becoming acting lieutenant last November. Richard Gillespie, who had been the department's first and sole lieutenant until becoming acting chief in November, retired in July. STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.