Mayor to conduct site visits with goal of presenting new chief to Board of Aldermen in August

The finalists for Somerville Chief of Police have been narrowed to two: Somerville Deputy Chief of Operations David Fallon and Manchester, NH, Chief of Police David Mara, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today.

Following a public hearing with the four initial finalists selected by the Police Chief Search Committee—Fallon, Mara, Somerville Deputy Chief of Support Michael Cabral, and Hamden, CT, Chief of Police Thomas Wydra—the committee submitted a final written assessment of each candidate to Mayor Curtatone for consideration. A team of City officials including the Mayor, Director of Personnel Bill Roche, Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi, and Teen Empowerment Executive Director Stanley Pollock interviewed each of the candidates following the public hearing before narrowing the finalists down to Fallon and Mara. Together with a team of City officials, Mayor Curtatone will conduct site visits on July 28 and 31, with the goal of presenting a new Chief of Police to the Board of Aldermen at the Board’s meeting on Aug. 28.

Experience and education of the two finalists (full resumes are available online) include:

• David Fallon: Current Somerville Police Deputy Chief of Operations. Formerly captain, lieutenant, sergeant and patrolman with the Somerville Police, and security police with the U.S. Air Force. Fallon holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College, a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from University of Massachusetts-Boston, and an associate degree in applied science from Community College of the Air Force.
• David Mara: Current Manchester, NH Police Chief. Formerly administrative captain, prosecutor, patrol sergeant and officer with Manchester Police, and prosecuting attorney with the City of Manchester’s Office of the City Solicitor. Mara holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University and a juris doctor from New England School of Law.

“We had four extremely qualified and excellent candidates for Somerville’s next Chief of Police and it was difficult to narrow down the list,” said Mayor Curtatone. “I want to thank Deputy Chief Cabral and Chief Wydra—two outstanding candidates—for taking part in this process and wish them the best of success in the future. I look forward to visiting with Deputy Chief Fallon here in Somerville and Chief Mara in Manchester to learn more before selecting our new chief.”

The City selected Waters Consulting Group through a request for proposals in December to assist in the search for a new police chief. Working with the Police Chief Search Committee, Waters Consulting representative Chuck Rohre interviewed City officials and over 40 constituent group representatives, held a public hearing and conducted a citywide survey that had more than 200 responses to obtain input on the qualities and characteristics desired of the next police chief. By the April deadline, 37 candidates applied for the position, which the Search Committee narrowed down to the four initial finalists. The public hearing with the four candidates was held on June 25, with the public submitting questions through the City website and in writing at locations around the city.

Former Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello announced in late 2013 that he would step down in order to care for a family member. Charlie Femino has been serving as Acting Chief of Police since Dec. 1, 2013.

For more information on the Police Chief Selection Committee and process, please email ChiefSearch@somervillema.gov.