Tewksbury Names Detective Lt. Ryan Columbus As New Police Chief

TEWKSBURY, MA — Ryan Columbus has been appointed the new Tewksbury police chief, Town Manager Richard Montuori announced Monday.

Columbus is currently a detective lieutenant with the Tewksbury Police Department and will take over as police chief on Friday. He has been with the department for nearly 20 years, since joining as a patrol officer in 2000.

Deputy Chief John Voto has been serving as the department's interim chief since the departure of long-time Chief Timothy Sheehan at the end of 2019.

"Columbus holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College, and has advanced specialized training in various related subject matter including, but not limited to, diversity, electronic crimes, and street level narcotics," according to a news release. "He has risen through the ranks of the Tewksbury Police Department from Sergeant Patrol Supervisor, to Administrative Lieutenant, to his current position as a Detective Lieutenant. Columbus is also a veteran of the United States Air Force Reserves, where he served as a Staff Sergeant of Security Forces."

Columbus's selection follows a "Police Chief Assessment Center" administered beginning in February, according to the release. Four candidates were assessed by a group of current and retired police chief on exercises "designed to test requisite knowledge, skills, abilities and personal characteristics fro the position."

Montuori interviewed the top three, and Columbus was the top candidate throughout the process, the town said.

Columbus is “very excited about being appointed and is looking forward to the continued success of the Tewksbury Police Department," he said in a statement.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.