A week after police Chief Antone Bettencourt announced his retirement, the Edgartown selectmen have approved a plan to replace him.

Labor attorney John M. (Jack) Collins will serve as interim chief while he helps the town identify a successor for Chief Bettencourt, who officially retires May 2.

A 32-year veteran of the police department, Chief Bettencourt announced last week that he would step down.

Chief Antone Bettencourt is stepping down after 32 years with force; search for new chief will focus on internal candidates.

Mark Lovewell

Chief Antone Bettencourt is stepping down after 32 years with force; search for new chief will focus on internal candidates.

Mark Lovewell

“I made the decision to leave because I believe it is both the right time for me, and more importantly, the right time for my family,” he wrote in a letter of resignation.

At a meeting early Wednesday, selectmen said they were sad to see him go.

“Needless to say, it was quite a surprise when I first saw this letter, but I truly understand that for you it is the right time,” board chair Arthur Smadbeck said.

Tony Bettencourt, as he is known to most, grew up in town. He joined the police force 32 years ago as a recent high school graduate, later serving for five years as a lieutenant.

He was appointed to the top post at the department in June 2010, following the retirement of chief Paul Condlin.

Mr. Smadbeck said his years of service had been an “enormous gift to this town.”

Selectman Michael Donaroma shared his gratitude.

“I hate to see you go, I have to admit, but like Art said, you started when you were something like 18, you have done your time, and I thank you for that,” he said.

Mr. Collins, who has worked with most Vineyard towns as special labor counsel, will become acting chief sometime in March.

Chief Bettencourt recommended him for the job in part because of his familiarity with policing. Mr. Collins has served as general counsel for the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association for 40 years, and conducted trainings with Island police departments. He’s often brought in to assist with leadership transitions behind the scenes, but this will be his first stint as interim police chief.

“I think if he is acting police chief while he goes through the process, he will be able to make more educated decisions in the department because he will be working with the officers,” Chief Bettencourt said.

He added that the department is short-staffed and if an officer was promoted from within, it would require them to take someone off the schedule.

“I didn’t feel like I should make a decision on the way out,” he said. “It’s not my department to run, it’s the town’s, and I think the decision should be made among the officers that are there.”

Mr. Collins will be paid as a chief and not a lawyer, he said during a telephone call with the Gazette on Wednesday.

“I am doing this more as a public service,” he said, adding that he’s had a long love affair with the town which started with his honeymoon.

The search for a new chief will focus primarily on internal candidates, he said.

“That has been the history in Edgartown,” he said. “The department is big enough and it’s got some great people . . . I don’t see any reason right now to be looking elsewhere.”