Police Chief Candidate Backs Selectmen's Pick in Letter to Board

STOUGHTON, MA — Stoughton Police Lt. Dan McGowen of the Stoughton Police Department may have placed second in the assessment center that was used to help choose the new chief of police, but he finishes first when it comes to class.

In a letter read by Selectman Peter Brown during Tuesday's selectmen meeting, McGowen put his support behind Chief Donna McNamara, who was chosen by the board Monday night to succeed Chief Paul Shastany

"One of the most selfless acts of extreme class I've seen in a long time,' Brown said.

In the letter, McGowen wrote, "I am writing a letter in support of Chief McNamara. Although I possessed a strong interest in the position as an applicant, my show of support is sincerer as Chief McNamara will undoubtedly take the Stoughton Police Department in the right direction. Her undying dedication to her profession and loyalty to the men and women of the Stoughton Police Department will make her a successful chief of police."

Vice-Chairman Robert Cohn called McGowen a "class act" following the reading of the letter.

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