RANDOLPH – Chief William Pace announces that he will be retiring in April after a 30-year career in law enforcement, including the last 10 years as chief. Chief Pace is Randolph’s 10th police chief since the department opened in 1924.
Chief Pace began his career as a patrol officer for the department in 1990. He was promoted to detective in 1996, followed by detective sergeant in 2003. He also served as the administrative aide to Chiefs Robert Churchill and Paul Porter in 2003 and again for Chief Porter from 2006 to 2008. Chief Pace was sworn in as the chief of police on June 28, 2010.
“The last 10 years in policing have been very challenging and I am proud to say that the department made every effort to meet those challenges head-on,” Chief Pace said. “One of the things I am most proud of is the declining crime rate in our community, which I credit to intelligence-based policing and an emphasis on community policing programs, officer wellness initiatives and opportunities for officers of this department to engage with the community in positive ways.”
As chief, Chief Pace has had several achievements and accomplishments that have helped modernize and improve operations in the department:
- The Randolph Police Department achieved certification from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission in 2013 and reached full accreditation in 2015. The department was successfully re-accredited in 2018 and has completed the assessment process for its 2021 re-accreditation.
- Chief Pace oversaw a $6.3 million renovation to the Randolph Police Station that will serve the needs of the department for years to come.
- He developed a health and wellness program for police officers that focuses on officer stress, physical fitness, professionalism and community engagement.
- He developed the special operations division to include motorcycle patrol, escorts and motorcycle coverage at special events.
- Chief Pace instituted and directed patrols at senior housing, shopping areas, public parks and schools to increase Randolph Police visibility and safety in areas of special populations.
- He changed the department rank structure by adding two commander positions, which have allowed the department to respond quickly to changing events and focus on the mission of crime prevention.
- Crime has been cut in Randolph by over 34% in his approximately 10 years as chief and the department has partnered with the Boston Regional Intelligence Center, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and the Massachusetts State Police to bring necessary resources to assist in the local policing mission.
- Chief Pace instituted the Senior Outreach Unit to serve Randolph’s senior community.
- He instituted a civilian dispatch program, which is cost-effective and has helped to keep more officers out on the street.
“I would like to thank Town Manager Brian Howard and former Town Manager David Murphy for their support and the financial means to institute an ambitious agenda in 2010 and beyond, which I feel has been more successful than I had ever imagined,” Chief Pace said. “I credit the entire Randolph Police Department, my brothers and sisters in blue, for all that we have been fortunate enough to accomplish over the last decade. I have always said that good police work is teamwork and I am fortunate enough to have one of the best teams around.”
Over the past year, like all other public service agencies, the department has had to adjust its daily operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The past year was challenging and required us to make changes to both keep our personnel healthy and continue to provide services to the public,” Chief Pace said. “From the start of the pandemic, we received a lot of support from community members, organizations and local businesses who donated PPE and other supplies to us, and we are appreciative of their continued support.”
“On behalf of the town, I would like to thank Chief Pace for his commitment and many years of service to our community,” Town Manager Brian Howard said. “Over the past 10 years with Chief Pace leading the department, the Randolph Police Department has become a more progressive and modern agency. He has instituted many new initiatives that will benefit our community members and officers for years to come. On a personal level, Chief Pace has helped me tremendously since I took over as Town Manager and I thank him for his invaluable insight and guidance.”
“I have long held that the Town of Randolph benefits from an extremely professional and competent police department,” Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said. “That strength starts at the top with Chief Pace, and his partnership will be very much missed.”
Chief Pace holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and graduated from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council. He is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Norfolk County Chiefs of Police.
“Although I am retiring from policing, I will not be retiring from work and plan to take the summer to determine what the next chapter in my career will be,” Chief Pace said.
Chief Pace’s last active shift as Chief will be Friday, April 2. The last month of his tenure will be largely focused on the transition to a new police chief.
“I have set goals to hire more police officers, submit a capital plan to address the security needs of the community and finish my three-year plan of an overhaul of some police equipment,” Chief Pace said. “I want to leave Randolph’s next police chief well-positioned to bring the department even further toward Randolph’s 21st century policing goals.”
In October 2020, the town held an assessment center for the position of police chief, which is a civil service position. APD Management of Tewksbury was selected to run the assessment. The Massachusetts Human Resources Division then used the results of the assessment center to compile a list of candidates. The police chief position is subject to an appointment by the town manager and ratification by the Randolph Town Council.
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