Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King Officially Sworn In To Office

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead made it official with new police chief Dennis King on Friday as the former Salem captain and acting chief took the oath of his new office during a ceremony at historic Abbot Hall.

King was surrounded by family at the event with his daughter, Olivia, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and his wife, Stella, pinning his new badge to his uniform, a long-standing tradition in the police service.

Boston Bruins singer Todd Angilly sang the national anthem and police chaplain Pastor James Bixby of the Clifton Lutheran Church led those assembled in a short prayer.

Marblehead Town Clerk Robin Michaud administered the oath of office.

"Given the impressive array of politicians, members of the judiciary, court members and staff, along with countless present and former members of the law enforcement community, it is clear that Chief King has made many positive impressions and lasting friendships during his many years in policing," Marblehead police noted on their Facebook page following the ceremony.

Marblehead's Glover's Regiment, Rehab Five and the to the Salem and Swampscott police departments sent units to cover the town so that the Marblehead day shift could attend the ceremony.

King was named to replace the retiring Robert Picariello in May.

He spent nine months as the acting chief in Salem where he assisted inthe city's response to the coronavirus health crisis, was on the city'sRace Equity Task Force and initiated a new civilian complaint procedureand an early warning system to detect "problem police officers."

Terrific swearing-in ceremony this morning to inaugurate our new Police Chief, Dennis King. You’ve already hit the ground running! We’re fortunate to have you in Town leading the Marblehead Police Department. pic.twitter.com/C60vQPxPoA
— Jason Silva (@JaSizz) August 20, 2021

A 25-year member of the Salem department, he has also been a correctional officer with the Essex County Sheriff's Department and a patrol officer at North Shore Community College.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)