Medford Police Make Leadership Changes Ahead Of Chief's Retirement

MEDFORD, MA — The city has begun restructuring its police department ahead of Police Chief Jack Buckley’s retirement later this year, promoting a longtime department member to a temporary leadership role.

Captain Paul Covino has been promoted to temporary deputy police chief as the city prepares for Buckley’s final day on Dec. 19. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said additional promotions will backfill positions created by the move.

Covino has spent more than 40 years with the Medford Police Department and has served in several leadership roles involving night patrol, community service, and the department’s Investigative Services Bureau. He previously worked for the MBTA Transit Police and had risen to the rank of lieutenant in Medford by at least 2011. Covino also served as provisional police chief for roughly five months in 2025 while Buckley was out on medical leave, returning to his previous position when Buckley resumed his duties in November.

“This organizational restructuring allows officers and new command staff to continue to learn the management operations under Chief Buckley for the next three months, making the eventual onboarding of the new chief as seamless as possible,” Lungo-Koehn said.

Buckley is currently working to secure accreditation for the department before his retirement, according to the mayor. Lungo-Koehn said the transition period will allow other members of the department’s leadership to take on additional responsibilities while continuing to work alongside Buckley.

“This transition period will allow police leadership to benefit from his experience while taking on greater responsibilities and preparing the department for its next chapter,” Lungo-Koehn said. “We believe these changes will stabilize the department during this transition.”

Buckley will retire after 28 years with the Medford Police Department, including the past eight years as chief. He joined the department as a patrol officer in 1998 and was promoted to sergeant in 2009 and lieutenant in 2015 before being appointed Medford’s 14th permanent police chief in December 2018.

The city is also continuing its search for Buckley’s permanent successor. Officials are currently gathering resumes from prospective candidates and have received positive feedback about the applicant pool from hiring consultant MGT, according to the mayor’s office.

Applications will close on Monday, Sept. 28, with background checks, screening, and interviews expected to begin in mid- to late fall. Lungo-Koehn is also working to establish an interview panel to assist with the hiring process.

The search comes after Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation on Aug. 21 allowing Medford to exempt its police chief and deputy police chief positions from civil service law. Lungo-Koehn previously said the change would allow the city to broaden its search and expand the pool of potential candidates.

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