George McMains, who has been serving as Newton’s Chief of Police since last May and was appointed Chief last November, was officially sworn in on Thursday, January 9. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller administered the oath of office in a colorful ceremony at the War Memorial in Newton City Hall. Mayor Fuller also administered the oath to four Newton Police Department (NPD) officers who had been promoted, as well.
About 200 people — family members, friends, police officers, and City department heads — walked around the auditorium, chatting as the sunlight streamed in from the large windows on both sides of the room, adding a bright glow to the festive mood of the honorees and guests. City officials attending included City Council President Marc Laredo, former City Council President Susan Albright, and Councilors Julia Malackie, Randy Block, Martha Bixby, and Stephen Farrell, and Newton School Superintendent Anna Nolin. State Representative Amy Sangiolo attended the ceremony, and Representative Jake Auchincloss’s District Director, Dana Hanson, represented the Congressman.
Watertown Police Chief Kevin O’Connell and Weston Police Chief Dennis Linehan joined Newton Fire Chief Gregory Gentile and Fire Chief of Operations Michael Bianchi to mark the event. Former Newton Police Chiefs Howard Mintz and David MacDonald were also in the audience. Marian Ryan, Middlesex District Attorney, who has had a long-standing working relationship with Chief McMains, was there to celebrate his promotion.
Shortly after 2PM, the lively audience came to attention as the seven-man Police Color Guard marched into the auditorium followed by the kilted, traditionally dressed Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums. In his invocation, Rev. Joel Miller, Co-Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Newton (FUUSN), described officers as “people who run toward danger so that people of Newton find safety from danger.” He sounded a common theme among the speakers that Newton has high expectations of its police force. And, as a reminder of the potential danger to police officers, he said, “May they always come safely home to their loved ones when their day ends.”
Mayor Fuller introduced the other officers being promoted:
- Superintendent Dennis Dowling, a 38-year NPD officer and the third generation of his family to serve on the Newton Police force;
- Captain Kenneth Dangelo, with 31 years of service;
- Lieutenant Joseph Brooks, an eleven-year NPD member; and
- Sergeant Michael Gaudet, also an eleven-year member.
Chief McMains has served on the NPD for twenty-eight years and has been Acting Chief twice before becoming Chief. He succeeds former Chief John Carmichael. In describing Chief McMains, the Mayor noted that he “is a calm and focused professional with principled determination to make sure justice is served. During a time of division in our country and our City, he is respectful of different viewpoints and opinions.” She said, “He had the ’full throated and unanimous’ support of the Police Selection Committee,” which reported that in addition to his exceptional qualifications, he “even raises puppies to be service dogs.” Mayor Fuller also quoted from a letter sent to her by the NPD civilian staff, telling her:
“We have witnessed his excellent work ethic; he is always going above and beyond and wants to do his best for the Newton Police Department and the City of Newton.” The Mayor closed her remarks by calling the new Chief “the real deal,” and noted that it was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Mary Beth Heffernan, Justice of the Newton District Court, explained that the Court is in daily contact with the Newton Police Department and that she and Chief McMains have worked closely since the Covid pandemic shut down everything in March of 2020. The District Court helps people, she said, even as people face addiction, mental health issues, and possibly, “the worst day of their lives.” She said, “Policing has changed …Expectations of police are greater than ever before. …Today, police are expected to be mental health workers, social workers, medics, school counselors.” She described Chief McMains as a person who understands the importance of training, a leader who rolls up his sleeves and is not above lending a hand. She added, “He is accessible, affable, forward thinking, kind and approachable.” Judge Heffernan, who served as Governor Deval Patrick’s Secretary of Public Safety and Security, noted that the Undersecretary of the agency at that time was Kurt Schwartz, Mayor Fuller’s brother.
After the Mayor administered the oath of office to the five officers, family members pinned the officers’ new badges on their uniform jackets. Chief McMains’ son, Owen, joined by his daughter and granddaughter, was first to affix his father’s badge. One-by-one, the other officers and family members proudly stepped forward for the badge pinning.
The new Chief, an Iowa native, gave a “shout out” to family members unable to come to Newton for the event. He told the audience that “one of our immediate goals is to increase and improve our commitment to our community, our residents, business owners, and other visitors to the City through our community outreach efforts,” – among them the Community Police Academy, with a second planned for later this year. He promised to coordinate efforts with the City Council, City Departments, and community members.
Chief McMains announced that Superintendent Dowling “will be responsible for EVERYTHING.” Capt. Dangelo will be the bureau commander of the Communication Bureau. Lt. Brooks and Sgt. Gaudet will be part of the Patrol Bureau. “We should hold ourselves to a certain standard no less than what we expect of those we lead. We should be the leader those we supervise deserve. I expect that of each of you, and you should expect that of me as well,” he concluded.
In her benediction, FUUSN Co-Minister, Reverend Deborah Hafner asked that the audience “carry forward the shared hope for a community built on trust, fairness, and care.” She said she hopes the officers “would acknowledge their power as both a gift and responsibility,” and asked that the “spirit of community bind us all here together.”
