AUGUSTA — The deputy chief of the Maine State Police was nominated today to become chief of the department.

Robert A. Williams of Vassalboro has been a member of the State Police for 27 years, according to a news release from the Department of Public Safety.

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Robert Williams, 47, grew up in Pittsfield, graduated from Maine Central Institute and University of Maine at Augusta, and has a master’s degree in administration from Husson University.

Pending confirmation from the state Senate, Williams would succeed Col. Patrick Fleming, who’s been chief for four years.

Williams, 47, who grew up in Pittsfield, graduated from Maine Central Institute and University of Maine at Augusta. He has a master’s degree in administration from Husson University.

After a year in the Pittsfield Police Department, Williams joined the State Police in 1984. He served as a trooper and then patrol sergeant in Somerset and Kennebec counties before being promoted to lieutenant in 1998, to major in 2000 and to deputy chief in 2007.

Public Safety Commissioner John Morris recommended Williams to Gov. Paul LePage, who endorsed the selection.

The Legislature’s Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee will hold a public hearing on the nomination in the next few weeks, the news release said.