Medford Names New Police Chief

MEDFORD, MA – Mayor Stephanie M. Burke has announced the city's next chief of police. Det. Lt. John D. "Jack" Buckley, a 20-year member of the Medford Police Department, was named Leo Sacco's successor on Monday.

"I am pleased to appoint and welcome Lieutenant Buckley to his new role as Chief of Police," said Burke said in a statement. "At the completion of a selection process that included, for the first time, an assessment center, I am impressed with the quality of candidates for the position of Police Chief. That is why I am proud to appoint Lieutenant Buckley as Chief. From this pool of outstanding candidates, he proved himself to be exceptionally qualified to serve and lead the police department. I admire his commitment to ethics, discipline and hard work, which has been demonstrated in every rank he has served. He is well respected in the community and the department."

Buckley joined the department as a patrol officer in 1998, eventually rising to the rank of detective lieutenant. His goals for the department include establishing a new mission statement, appointing a Hate Crime Officer and augmenting diversity within the department by developing a formal recruiting effort to teach potential candidates the Civil Service process, according to a press release.

"I am deeply honored to be named as the next Chief of Police and to follow in the footsteps of Chief Sacco," Buckley said in a statement. "I want to thank Mayor Burke for her trust and commitment to public safety. Under my leadership, the focus of the Medford Police Department will continue to be to strengthen trust, confidence and maintain a partnership with all members of the community. I will uphold the commitment the City has made toward diversity and inclusivity. I hold the men and women of the Department in high esteem and look forward to working alongside them to serve all."

Buckley has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Master of arts degree in criminal justice from Curry College. He is married with two daughters.

Buckley will be sworn in Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Howard Alden Memorial Chambers at Medford City Hall.

"I am confident that Lieutenant Buckley is prepared and committed to carry forward the work of retired Chief Sacco and forge relations with our growing diverse population as chief of police,” Neil Osborne, director of Diversity & Inclusion, said in a statement. "The city’s chief of police plays a critical role in fulfilling a promise that Medford is a welcoming city to all."

Photo submitted by the city of Medford