Bill Baker, the former assistant city administrator and police chief in Westbrook, will become the police chief in Foxborough, Mass., the home of the New England Patriots football team.

Foxborough Town Manager William Keegan said Baker’s selection was made Tuesday night, according to a press release. The search attracted 76 candidates from 21 states and two continents.

Baker was chief of police in Westbrook from 2007 to 2011 prior to taking a new role of assistant city administrator for business and community relations. Baker has also served as police chief in Laconia, N.H., and Southborough and Sutton, Mass.

Keegan said Baker has a “reputation as a progressive law enforcement leader and community relationship builder.”

He also said Baker’s experience with high-profile events such as Laconia’s “Bike Week” was attractive given the town’s work with the National Football League and other events at Gillette Stadium.

Baker retired from his post at Westbrook City Hall in April, but was hired by the city shortly after as a temporary independent contractor for economic development. Just this week, he told the American Journal that he has been helping the city take another look at its first community dog park project.

Keegan said in the release that Baker had most recently been working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in training efforts.

“My family and I are very excited about the move to Foxborough, which we expect to make before the end of the month,” Baker said in an email Thursday. “I look forward to returning to my Massachusetts roots and my professional roots close to where I was first appointed a chief in 1981 and making great things happen for that department, the community of Foxborough and being a positive factor working with the Kraft family and the world class Gillette facility.”

According to Jerre Bryant, the Westbrook city administrator, Baker will be discussing a transition plan with city officials in the coming weeks.

He has been working on various projects in Westbrook including the lease discussions between potential tenants at One Riverfront Plaza, and the possible city purchase of a portion of Rivermeadow Golf Club.

His start date in Foxborough is Oct. 3.

Bill Baker during his tenure as Westbrook Police Chief.