Sgt. Ryan Murdough, an 18-year police veteran with more than 20 years of military service, will be sworn in as the new police chief in Henniker on Tuesday.

Murdough, who began his career in Henniker, will become the town's third full-time chief. Both of his predecessors stayed on the job for two decades. He will replace Chief Tim Russell, a town fixture, who Murdough said had long been grooming him for leadership.

Select board Chairman Tom Watman said the board unanimously chose Murdough after a long and thorough process. The town advertised widely for the job and reviewed 39 applications from across the country. In the end, the board chose Murdough for his leadership experience and his career experience working with young people, a key to the chief's job in a college town, Watman said.

"We think he can do something to hopefully work closely with the college people," he said. "We expect no loss of effort to enforce the law, but we're hoping that we'll be able to develop some stronger relationships with New England College in the future."

Lately, the department has drawn headlines for a series of arrests related to college fraternity hazing. Watman also said that officers must contend with underage drinking, drunken driving and noise complaints.

Most recently, Murdough has been working as a detective on major case investigations. During his years at the department, he has also worked as a bicycle patrol officer, a D.A.R.E. instructor in schools and an accident reconstructionist. He has received extensive police training, including a recent stint at the FBI National Academy.

Murdough is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the New Hampshire Army National Guard. He served in the 1991 Gulf War and in the more recent Iraq conflict in 2004.

He retired from the Guard in 2006 after 20 years of service.

In an interview yesterday, Murdough said he thinks his military experience has taught him about leadership - "dealing with people under difficult circumstances, leading people under difficult circumstances" - but he said he thinks he will also draw on his years of police work under Russell.

"I'm not stepping in here with ideas to make huge changes," he said. "Chief Russell is a great chief and great to work for."

Murdough said he hopes to improve the department's customer service and outreach to residents. He also said the department will need to adjust to difficult financial times.

This year, the department's proposed budget was rejected for the first time in 20 years. Voters cut about $17,000, enough to eliminate a new police vehicle and camera equipment and to postpone Murdough's replacement with a new full-time officer until September.

Murdough lives in Hillsboro with his wife and two daughters.