I am pleased to announce that I have selected John F. Carmichael Jr. to be the next Chief of the Newton Police Department.
Chief Carmichael will come to Newton after spending the last five years as Chief of the Walpole Police Department. He has a proven track record of embracing and implementing the principles underlying NPD’s mission of improving the quality of life and supporting the full spectrum of needs for all residents by delivering fair, just, respectful, safe and effective policing.
Over the past six months, I have been grateful for the help of so many as we undertook a wide search, a thorough review and careful consideration to find a highly capable person committed to equity, excellence and responsiveness in policing. Input came from a wide range of residents, members of the Newton Police Department, representatives of the City Council, and Department Heads - including the Superintendent of the Newton Public Schools. I want to thank, in particular, our Police Selection Committee, our search firm, and its lead participant, Chief Brian Kyes of Chelsea, MA. My selection criteria were influenced by the important work of the Newton Police Reform Task Force, the internal Newton Police Department Review Committee and the important discussions throughout the country and the Commonwealth on the future of policing.
Chief Carmichael has a proven track record of moving the Walpole Police Department forward based on collaborative partnerships between the department and people across the community. He has consistently led with the philosophy of treating people with fairness, dignity and respect. He insists on decision making that is impartial and unbiased as well as transparent and open.
Chief Carmichael honors and welcomes inclusivity, including resident input in setting the agenda for the police department. As Chief in Walpole, a department which is not part of the civil service system, he intentionally increased the diversity of its members. His strategic plan for the Walpole Police Department purposefully embraces the philosophy of 21st Century policing and weaves together reform with building trust and police legitimacy with the community and a problem-solving approach that focuses on the root cause of incidents.
The Chief thinks broadly, brings a curious mind to best practices, and believes in continuously improving policing. For example, the Walpole Police Department has already trained nearly every officer in Crisis Intervention Training and has a well-established Community Crisis Intervention Team.
Most importantly, John Carmichael is a person of integrity who leads with compassion.
Chief Carmichael began his career with his dedicated service in the Unites States Army Military Police Corps, then transitioned to becoming a dispatcher for police, fire and EMS in Medfield before serving as a police officer, sergeant, Deputy Chief and, since July 2015, as the Chief in Walpole, Massachusetts. He has earned both a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. He also completed the FBI National Academy for law enforcement in 2012.
John F. Carmichael Jr.
Chief of Police. Walpole, MA. July 2015 - Current
Deputy Police Chief. Walpole, MA. Nov. 2010 - July 2015
Detective Sergeant. Walpole, MA. Dec. 2009 - Nov. 2010
Patrol Sergeant. Walpole, MA. June 2007 - Jan. 2010
Patrol Officer. Walpole, MA. Oct. 1996 - June 2007
Patrol Officer. Medfield, MA. Aug. 1993 - Oct. 1996
Police Dispatcher. Medfield, MA. July 1989 - Aug. 1993
Soldier. US Army, Military Police Corps. March 1986 - March 1989
Masters in Criminal Justice. Curry College. August 2009
Bachelors in Law Enforcement. Western New England University. July 2000
I am grateful to Howard Mintz who interrupted his retirement to serve as Interim Chief for the past nine months. His steady, experienced leadership was essential during this challenging time for the Newton Police Department.
Chief Carmichael will join me in speaking with the Newton City Council either later this month or in early May as they undertake their approval process. I know Interim Chief Mintz will work closely with Chief Carmichael to make the transition seamless when he joins the NPD in early June.
Warmly,
Ruthanne
