Medford Police Chief Announces Retirement Plans

A major change in Medford police leadership is on the way after this announcement.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Aug 25, 2026 5:08 PM EDT | Updated Aug 25, 2026 5:09 PM EDT

Buckley's last day with the department iscoming later this year. (Ben Pierce/Patch)

MEDFORD, MA — Police Chief Jack Buckley plans to retire later this year after nearly three decades with the department, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced.

Buckley's last day is slated to be on Dec. 19, 2026. When the time comes, he will have served a total of 28 years with the Medford Police Department, including the past eight years as chief.

Buckley first joined the department as a patrol officer in 1998. He was promoted to sergeant in 2009 and lieutenant in 2015 before being appointed as Medford's 14th permanent police chief in December 2018. Before taking over as chief, Buckley served as supervisor of the department's Detective Bureau, where he directed and coordinated criminal investigations and served as the department's liaison to several state and federal agencies.

When Buckley was selected to succeed longtime Police Chief Leo Sacco, his goals included creating a new department mission statement, establishing a Hate Crime Officer position, and increasing diversity through a formal recruiting effort. He was selected following a process that included an assessment center for the first time.

Buckley holds a bachelor's degree from UMass Boston and a master's degree in criminal justice from Curry College. He also completed the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Executive Development program and the FBI-LEEDA Reflective Leadership Institute for Law Enforcement Executives. Buckley has served on the executive board of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police and has been a member of several other law enforcement organizations, including the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and International Association of Chiefs of Police.

In May 2025, Buckley was one of six local police chiefs to receive a CIT Visionary Award for his work surrounding interactions with people experiencing behavioral health challenges. He was recognized for advancing Crisis Intervention Team principles within the department, developing partnerships with other agencies and supporting training and community engagement.

Buckley also spent roughly five months away from the department on medical leave in 2025 before returning to his position in November. Captain Paul Covino served as provisional chief during his absence before returning to his previous role when Buckley resumed his duties.

Lungo-Koehn has worked alongside Buckley since taking office in 2020.

"Since I took office in 2020, Chief Buckley has been more than just the Chief of Police," Lungo-Koehn said. "He's been the person I look to for advice, and his insights often provide clarity that helps lead to a solution."

Lungo-Koehn said she will miss Buckley's visits to her office, humor and friendship, while crediting him for his 28 years of service to the community.

The city has already begun the process of finding Buckley's successor. Lungo-Koehn, with support from the City Council and Medford's state delegation, worked with State Rep. Paul Donato on legislation allowing the city to exempt its police chief and deputy police chief positions from civil service law. Gov. Maura Healey signed the legislation on Aug. 21, allowing the city to broaden its search and expand the pool of potential candidates. The position has since been posted.

"Serving the people of Medford has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Buckley said. "I'm immensely proud of the work we've done together, strengthening the department and forging lasting relationships with the community."

Buckley also credited the department's officers, public safety dispatchers, and civilian staff for serving with professionalism and compassion, adding that he is confident that work will continue under Medford's next police chief.