BOSTON /Massachusetts Newswire/ — Governor Deval Patrick today announced he has appointed Deputy Superintendent Marian J. McGovern as the next Superintendent and Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). McGovern will be the first female to hold the position in the Commonwealth’s history.
“Over the past 30 years, Marian McGovern has performed with distinction at every level of service as a sworn member of the Massachusetts State Police,” said Governor Patrick. “This experience has fully prepared her to move this critical agency forward.”
McGovern’s three-decade long career with the MSP began at the rank of Trooper in 1979. She has served as a detective, led the detective unit assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and served as a Major in the Crime Lab where she helped develop the CODIS Unit. She has also served as Deputy Commander of Training, headed the Division of Standards and Training as a Lieutenant Colonel and served as Deputy Superintendent since January of 2009.
“It is an honor to have spent 30 years working for the greatest law enforcement agency in the world,” said Lieutenant Colonel McGovern. “And now, today, the culmination of those years and achieving the rank of Colonel and Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police is the greatest accomplishment I could have ever hoped for.”
“Marian understands all phases of public safety in Massachusetts as well as what’s needed to accomplish a particular mission or goal,” said Public Safety Secretary Kevin M. Burke. “We’re fortunate to have someone of her caliber step up and accept what will be a very difficult challenge.”
McGovern received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Framingham State College and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College. McGovern was awarded the Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award by the National Center for Women and Policing. She is also the recipient of the Distinguished Law Enforcement Award from Blue Mass, Diocese of Worcester. McGovern will assume her post on December 16th.
Governor Patrick also offered praise for outgoing Superintendent Mark Delaney, who announced his retirement in September after 35 years of service to the MSP. “Colonel Delaney has been an example of excellence during his entire career on the Department. The State Police and the Commonwealth owe him a debt of gratitude.”
The Massachusetts State Police was created in 1865. Today it is comprised of 2,300 highly trained, sworn officers dedicated to serving the citizens of the Commonwealth.
