Longtime Malden Officer Chosen As Next Police Chief

MALDEN, MA — Mayor Gary Christenson announced that Captain Marc Gatcomb will become Malden's next Chief of Police, succeeding Chief Glenn Cronin, who is set to retire on Tuesday, June 30, after a 32-year career with the department.

Gatcomb is a nearly 40-year veteran of the Malden Police Department, having joined the agency as a cadet in 1987. Since then, he has served in a variety of roles throughout the department and currently serves as commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.

For the past nine years, Gatcomb has overseen the division responsible for major investigations, supervising cases from the initial response through prosecution. He has also played a role in several multi-agency public safety initiatives, including serving on an FBI task force focused on human trafficking investigations.

One of Gatcomb's most visible roles has been serving as the department's Public Information Officer for the past 15 years. In that position, he has acted as a liaison between the police department, local media and the community while helping communicate information during major incidents and public safety events.

City officials said Gatcomb has also overseen grant-related initiatives and fiscal management efforts during his career. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Gatcomb will become Malden's third police chief in the last four years. Cronin was appointed chief in 2022 following the retirement of longtime Chief Kevin Molis, who concluded a 42-year career with the department.

Before becoming chief, Cronin served in a variety of leadership positions within the department and was selected by city officials to lead the agency following Molis' retirement. His departure this summer will mark the end of more than three decades of service to the city.

"We look forward to his continued leadership and service to our department and community," the department said in a statement about Gatcomb. "We also extend our deepest gratitude to Chief Glenn Cronin for his decades of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to our department and community."

Gatcomb is expected to assume leadership of the department following Cronin's retirement at the end of June.

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