Two Dartmouth police officers are assuming leadership roles, after the Select Board approved sergeant promotions for the officers.

At its Dec. 17 meeting, the Select Board unanimously approved the promotion of officers Derek Kenney and Victor Morency to sergeants. One position had been vacant, and a second position will be opened up by a retirement.

“Both officers are highly qualified for this position,” Chief Brian Levesque said.

Kenney is a 22-year veteran of the department, joining the force in 1996 after serving six years in the U.S. Army. He served seven years in the patrol division, was acting sergeant for one year, is on the department’s honor guard, and currently works in the department’s support services division.

“It’s a chance to support the officers on patrol, and manage them to accomplish the mission of the department,” Kenney said.

Morency has been with the department since 2007. Before that, he coached and played sports at both the high school and college level, and worked with a program for at-risk youth operated by the New Bedford Juvenile Court. He is assigned to the patrol division, and also serves as a department field training officer and background investigator for new hires.

“It’s a great opportunity to assume a leadership role in the department,” Morency said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”