Falmouth Selectmen approved Dunne's appointment Monday, according to the Cape Cod Times. The move is just in time; Chief Anthony Riello retires next week.
Dunne joined the Falmouth Police Department in 1981 as a summer police officer and was promoted to captain in 2008.
The town will launch a search for a permanent chief early next year. Dunne told the Cape Cod Times he plans to apply for the position.