Thomas Scott Carey is named police chief in Woonsocket.

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WOONSOCKET — Mayor Susan Menard has chosen a detective major from the St. Petersburg Police Department in Florida to head the Woonsocket Police Department.

Maj. Thomas Scott Carey, 56, of North Port, Fla., has been a sworn officer since 1983. He currently heads crimes against property in the uniform services division, where he is responsible for supervision of burglary, economic crimes, auto theft and special investigations units. Carey has served in many capacities including field training officer, detective and homicide divisions. He has a master’s degree from Troy University in public administration and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Menard said she chose Carey from the top three candidates recommended by a search committee because of his years of experience and lack of ties to Rhode Island.

“I really wanted somebody who had no ties to Rhode Island and no ties to local police, someone who could come in with clean fresh outlook without any preconceived notions. He is a detail person, big on planning, big on diversity of community and talking to business people. That is very important. He just answered every need I felt we had,” Menard said.

Carey, reached at his job in Florida, said that he and his wife are originally from South Weymouth, Mass., and are looking to move back to the region. St. Petersburg has about 258,000 inhabitants and 540 police officers but Carey said there are similarities in the population and the issues both cities face. “With my education, training and experience, I thought it would be a good fit,” he said.

Although it is not required, Carey said he plans to live in Woonsocket. “It’s important for people to see you support the community and that you want to be part of the community all the time, not just the time you are at work,” he said.

Arrangements are still in the works but Carey will likely be sworn in Sept. 15, Menard said.

Lt. Eric L. Croce, 44, of the Rhode Island State Police has been running the Woonsocket Police Department since March 5 while a new chief was chosen. He applied for the chief’s job.

Menard asked the state police to temporarily run the Police Department after Chief Michael L.A. Houle and Deputy Chief Richard A. Dubois announced their retirements in early March following allegations by Houle’s ex-wife, Marsha Bish, that Houle and Dubois changed scores on police exams in 2004 to get her on the force. Both men denied the allegations. The Woonsocket police conducted an internal investigation of the allegations and handed its findings to the state police and attorney general’s office. Neither agency has made any public announcements regarding the findings.

Menard said Croce was her first choice for chief because he had come to the force at a difficult time and ran the department smoothly. Croce was among the top nine finalists but did not make the top three.

“My first choice was Lieutenant Croce. He has done a phenomenal job. The state police is lucky to have him. … I wish I could have kept him. He was very professional, a real good administrator. He had a real strong concept of quasi-military operation, which is what the Police Department is. From the time he came in, there were no problems. He came in during a very tough time when the chief and deputy chief retired,” Menard said.

Christopher Beauchamp, who headed the search committee, said he was happy with the mayor’s choice. She had hedged on whether she would pick from the top three. “There is not much room between the first and second guy. I’m glad she picked one of the three, like the system was designed to do,” he said.

tpina@projo.com