Lt. Cronin to Assume Position Upon Chief MacDonald’s Retirement in August
DIGHTON — Town Administrator Michael Mullen and the Dighton Board of Selectmen are pleased to announce the appointment of Lt. Shawn Cronin as the next Chief of the Dighton Police Department following the upcoming retirement of Chief Robert MacDonald.
Lt. Shawn Cronin was appointed as Police Chief at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Wednesday, July 27. Pending successful contract negotiations, he is expected to take over as police chief following Chief MacDonald’s retirement at the end of August.
“We are extremely pleased to appoint Lt. Cronin as the next Chief of the Dighton Police Department,” Board of Selectmen Chair Leonard Hull said. “Shawn is a lifelong Dightonian who comes from a family that has demonstrated dedicated service to the community. He’s a valued member of the community and highly-esteemed law enforcement professional. We greatly look forward to him assuming this role upon Chief MacDonald’s retirement.”
Lt. Cronin has over 20 years of progressive law enforcement experience, including eight years in a supervisory role. He began his career in law enforcement as a summer special officer on the island of Nantucket in 2001. In 2003, he became a reserve intermittent police officer for the Dighton Police Department. He then went on to be hired as a full-time patrolman in 2006 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2014.
While with the department, some of Lt. Cronin’s responsibilities have included serving as the department’s training supervisor, hiring selection coordinator, public information officer and court liaison.
Most recently, he was appointed as the department’s first lieutenant in over 20 years. In this role, Lt. Cronin oversaw policy review and composition, grant writing, the detective division and internal affairs; assisted with the budget; and provided support for the development of all personnel, both police and civilian.
He is the recipient of two Merit Commendations and two Life-Saving Commendations. Lt. Cronin was presented with his most recent Life-Saving Commendation in November 2020 for his response to a report of a person in distress at a residence in Dighton.
“Lt. Cronin is a distinct, well-respected member of the Dighton Police Department and greater Dighton community,” Town Administrator Mullen said. “Having such deep-seated roots within Dighton, he is an ideal candidate for the Chief’s position as he has a unique insight into the needs of our community. We are confident that as Chief he will continue the work that has already been started to further professionalize and modernize the department while ensuring that the best public safety service is provided to the community.”
Lt. Cronin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bridgewater State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice administration at Curry College. He is also a certified Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Academy Instructor, Field Training Officer and FBI-LEEDA member.
Outside of his career, Lt. Cronin is heavily involved in the community. He’s organized numerous community fundraisers and events including eight charity golf tournaments, the annual Stuff-a-Cruiser Drive, Halloween safety campaigns and more; volunteered on multiple town committees including serving as secretary and department liaison during the construction of the new police facility; and is a volunteer youth baseball and basketball coach.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the incredible men and women of the Dighton Police Department and its Communications staff as the department’s next police chief,” Lt. Cronin said. “With a traditional understanding and a new-age approach to community policing, I look forward to opening up dialogue with our community, promoting department training and transparency, and cultivating positive youth interactions. I also take great pride and responsibility in leading this department and as a team, I’m confident we will exceed the community’s expectations of our department as we strive to protect and respect each and every one of our citizens and those who may be passing through town.”
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