Dear Community Member,
I would like to take this opportunity to share the latest update regarding our search for a new Police Chief. I am pleased to announce two candidates as finalists for the Ashland Police Chief position.
*Cara Rossi is a Lieutenant in the Natick Police Department where she has been on the force since 1994. She currently serves as the Commanding Officer of the Community Services and Traffic Division. Prior to that, she served as Commanding Officer of the Operations Division. Prior to her police career, Cara worked for the Department of Youth Services as a Case Worker. Lt. Rossi graduated with a MA in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College.
*Samuel Santiago is currently the Police Chief in the town of Shirley, Massachusetts, and is a 19 year veteran of the department. Prior to becoming Chief, he was a Police Sergeant and Patrol Supervisor. Chief Santiago is also an adjunct faculty member at Anna Maria College. Chief Santiago holds a Masters In Public Administration from Clark University, an MS in Criminal Justice, and an MBA from Anna Maria College, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Criminal Justice from the California University of Pennsylvania.
The Police Chief search yielded 14 candidates. After a review of resumes, six of those candidates were moved forward to be interviewed by an independent screening committee. After the interviews, the screening committee agreed to advance these two candidates for final interviews. The process will continue with me interviewing both candidates. These interviews will take place on Thursday night, March 31st, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and broadcast on WACA TV. The public is encouraged to watch and provide feedback after the interviews: My email is mherbert@ashlandmass.com. The process will conclude with an offer of employment extended contingent upon a satisfactory background check.
Acting Chief Briggs elected not to pursue the permanent Chief position. Gratefully, he has agreed to continue as Acting Chief until a new Chief is selected.
I wish to extend a thank-you to Chief Briggs for his ongoing leadership. Additionally, I extend a thank-you to the Screening Committee members: Superintendent Jim Adams, Izzy Assencoa, Retired Fire Capt. Micheal Brogan, Retired Police Chief Bob Gonfrade, Makeda Keegan, and Fiona Sirur, as well as all of the residents who participated in surveys and focus groups as part of the process.
Sincerely,
Michael Herbert
Town Manager
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