Chief Michael Sallese. (Courtesy Photo Stow Police Department) 
Chief Michael Sallese at the beginning of his career with the Stow Police Department over two decade ago. (Courtesy Photo Stow Police Department)
STOW — Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski, the Stow Board of Selectmen and the Stow Police Department are pleased to announce that Michael Sallese has been selected to be the town’s new chief of police.
On Jan. 12, Chief Sallese was chosen by the Stow Board of Selectman to serve as the department’s new chief of police. He has served as the department’s acting chief of police since May.
“As a native of Stow, it is an incredible honor to be appointed as the town’s new chief of police,” said Chief Sallese. “I have worked for the Stow Police Department for nearly 23 years and I am excited to continue serving the community that I grew up in.”
Chief Sallese joined the Stow Police Department in 1997 as a college intern and later began his career with the Stow Police Department as a part-time dispatcher and auxiliary officer. In 2005, Chief Sallese was hired as a patrol officer.He was promoted to detective in 2009 and promoted to detective sergeant in 2015.
Chief Sallesse graduated from Nashoba Regional High school in 1994. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Salem State College and an associate’s in applied sciences degree in criminal justice from Becker College.
Additionally, Chief Sallese has served as chairman of the Stow Police Advisory Committee, a member of Nashoba’s Emergency Response Task Force and as a school liaison officer. He has also been trained in domestic terrorism, threat assessment, cyber and internet based crimes, law enforcement liability and more.
“Chief Sallese grew up in Stow, is passionate about Stow and knows Stow well,” said Select Board Chair Tom Ryan. “As acting chief for the past eight months, he has stepped up and has kept the police department functioning during these difficult times, including moving the department forward with much-needed policy changes.”
As acting chief, Chief Sallese has accomplished the enactment of General and Special Orders and has also has introduced policy changes, including the Duty to Intervene and Interactions with Transgender Individuals.
“I would like to congratulate Chief Sallese on his promotion and wish him success in this new position,” said Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski. “In the short time that I have known Chief Sallese, he has demonstrated significant leadership capability and I am confident that he is ready to embrace the position of chief of police.”
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