Photo By Rich Dionne Former Bristol Police Chief Col. Russell Serpa sits at the chief's desk one last time and looks back on his 12 years at the helm.

BRISTOL — There's a new chief in town. Well, for now, anyway. Deputy Chief Josue Canario, 42, will serve as the acting Bristol police chief, after the former, Col. Russell Serpa, was told by town officials that he could finally retire from his post on Monday morning.

Col. Serpa, 63, who served as Bristol's police chief for more than 12 years, announced his retirement late last year, but agreed to stay on while the town and its contracted agencies underwent processes to fill the position. He said he also agreed to stay to submit the police department's 2008-09 budget to the town administrator.

The hiring process continues, but the field of 24 applicants has been reduced to three, after a series of interviews and testing conducted by the town and the personnel board over the past three to four months.

Last week, Town Administrator Diane Mederos said she did not want to put a final date on when the new chief announcement would be made or disclose the names of remaining applicants. She said she didn't know why people were so concerned, as the department is in great hands while the process continues.

Col. Serpa, who was with the department for 39 years, said he thinks Ms. Mederos was trying to do him a favor by letting him retire this week. He said the call he received Monday morning caught him by surprise and made him just shake his head, as he was expecting to stay on for two or three more weeks.

"It sucks. It's awful. I hate it," Col. Serpa said of his almost two-day-old retired life on Tuesday.

Acting Chief Canario said the temporary promotion "feels good." He said he will continue moving the department in the forward direction it has been and assure it "does not miss a beat."

"I want to insure public safety and the high level of integrity this department has," he said.

Acting Chief Canario added he learned "an astronomical amount" from his mentor, Col. Serpa. He said he was not anxious about the remainder of the hiring process.

"It needs to take its course and at the right time, the right decision will be made," he said.

In the meantime, Col. Serpa said, Lt. Nicholas Guercia will step up as Deputy Chief and Lt. Joseph Gonsalves will step up in acting Deputy Chief Guercia's place.

By Jeremy Rosen

jrosen@eastbaynewspapers.com