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LEVERETT — An Amherst native with a decade of law enforcement experience will be the Leverett Police Department’s new sergeant. Benjamin Peters, who is a full-time Sunderland Police officer, was named to the position by the Select Board following an hourlong interview Tuesday, during which he said he would use his new platform to help people. An FBI-certified crisis and hostage negotiator, and a sexual assault investigator, Peters, an Amherst Regional High School graduate, has previously worked as an auxiliary officer for Shutesbury Police and as a part-time officer in New Salem. Peters emphasized the need for community policing, being present and having an open mind during the work. He pointed to successfully resolving a dispute between Sunderland residents on opposite sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition, Peters said he understands he works for the town and appreciates the community sentiment toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI and state police. Still, he has made a network of connections with state police, district attorneys and others during investigations and other police work. Peters has been instrumental in launching a regional public safety fall festival — which will be held at Look Park in Northampton this year — describing that as “an incredible opportunity to expand on the vision of bringing the public together with those who keep them safe.” Board member Jed Proujansky said he appreciates that Peters seems to have both the hard skills and softer skills appropriate for Leverett. Board member Tom Hankinson added that it’s positive that Peters grew up in Amherst, and likely is familiar with Leverett, though Leverett Police also provide coverage for Wendell. Police Chief Scott Minckler said the position has been open for a month following the retirement of Sgt. Steve Gould, and the other three applicants didn’t meet the minimum qualifications. Minckler said the decade as a police officer has given Peters the opportunity to supervise himself before beginning to supervise others. In other business, the Select Board reviewed revised policies for the public and for private organizations to rent Town Hall, including required deposits, capacity limits and access to the technology housed in the building. The board also discussed how to resolve an ongoing issue at a town conservation area at the end of Putney Road next to Leverett Pond, where access via land has been blocked by a private landowner.