By George P. Hassett

The leadership of the Somerville Police Department was handed over to Anthony Holloway Monday night  in a ceremony that honored outgoing Acting Chief Robert R. Bradley and ushered in a new era for the department.

Bradley, on the force since Aug. 3, 1969, said it was the first time he had seen a formal ceremony celebrating a change in leadership for the SPD. With an honor guard at his side and the United States flag behind him Bradley praised Holloway, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the direction the force is going in.

‚ÄúI am just happy to have played a small role in the modernizing of the Somerville Police Department,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúWhat I’m turning over to Chief Holloway is a better equipped, better trained and better staffed police department than we had just a few years ago.‚ÄùBradley took over as acting chief of the department in 2005 from George F. McLean. He was a finalist for the permanent post but Curtatone ultimately selected Holloway, a Florida native, for the job of top cop.

Holloway, who has bought a home in the city, is promising a focus on community policing during his tenure. On Monday, Holloway got an endorsement from Bradley.

“After speaking with him and working with him, I am convinced Anthony Holloway is the right man for this job,” he said.