NEW BEDFORD - The New Bedford Police Department's Detectives Division has a new leader.

Captain Adelino Sousa was promoted from his rank of Lieutenant, and now heads the division that was in the command of Captain Steven Vicente before his retirement last month.

Captain Sousa has been a member of the New Bedford Police Department for 23 years, and became part of the Narcotics Division in 2000, and was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force in 2001. He was also assigned to the Gang Unit from 2006 to 2009. He reached the rank of Lieutenant in 2012, and holds a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England College.

In a written statement, Captain Sousa says he is "honored to be chosen to represent the department as the commanding officer in charge of the Detectives Unit." Captain Sousa says he is "committed to continuing to serve the community, and will always do what is in the best interest of the citizens."

Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro says he has the "utmost confidence" in Captain Sousa's abilities and expects that he will "continue to professionalize the Detective Division."

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