Canton Police Department Appoints Interim Chief Amid Ongoing Scrutiny
CANTON, MA – In a decisive move following the acquittal of Karen Read in a contentious murder trial, the Canton Police Department has appointed Joseph Perkins as its interim chief. The Town of Canton select board unanimously voted for Perkins, a retired police chief from Middleborough with 35 years of law enforcement experience, during a meeting on June 24.
Perkins, addressing the community, acknowledged the town’s current struggles and expressed commitment to leveraging his expertise in stabilizing the department as it seeks a permanent chief within six months. He emphasized the importance of implementing recommendations from a recent departmental audit, particularly concerning crime scene protocols which directly relate to high-profile cases, including Read’s ongoing controversy.
The police department faced intense scrutiny after accusations of mishandling evidence in the Read case, which saw a heated community response and calls for previous chief Helena Rafferty’s resignation. With Rafferty’s retirement announced in April, the select board is actively seeking qualifications for the new full-time chief, aiming to incorporate community input in the selection process. Perkins’ appointment comes as a beacon of hope amid an unsettled atmosphere in Canton.
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