WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) _ The Massachusetts State Police officially have a new leader.

Richard McKeon was sworn in Thursday by Gov. Charlie Baker as colonel and superintendent of the state police. The ceremony was at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

McKeon, a 33-year veteran of the state police, was appointed by Baker to the top job last month. He succeeds Col. Timothy Alben, who retired after serving as superintendent since 2012.

The roughly 2,300-member force is celebrating its 150th anniversary and bills itself as the nation's oldest state policing agency.

McKeon most recently served as deputy commander of the Investigative Services division and was formerly assigned to the Worcester District Attorney's office.

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