Barrett assumes presidency of regional chiefs association
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Staff Reporter

The outgoing president of Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Dennis Legare, of Petersham, talks with incoming president Ashburnham Police Chief Loring Barrett. Courtesy Photo

Police Chief Loring Barrett was sworn in as the president of the Central Massachusetts Chief of Police Association on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Cushing Academy.

Barrett assumed the top position in the association after serving as first vice president for the last year and as a member for the last eight years.

District Court Judge Patrick Fox issued the oath of office to Barrett and to the other new officers and the new executive board after the association’s regular meeting. Barrett had invited his wife and parents to the ceremony as well as the Board of Selectmen,

Town Administrator Kevin Paicos and Cushing’s Headmaster James Tracy.

The group of about 60 members and 40 associate members meets once a month to discuss issues surrounding training, budgeting, politics, litigation and a variety of other topics, he said.

“It’s a wealth of information,” Barrett said. “It’s a great network.”

The group was formed in the 1980s as an association for police chiefs in Worcester County but it has expanded to include some towns outside those county borders.

The group works closely with the State Police Chiefs Association but meets more often and works more closely together, Barrett said.