Meet Chief Richard D. Howe (Retired)

During his tenure as Chief, Rich expanded his department’s community outreach and improved public relations through various community policing initiatives. Rich also led the creation and expansion of the department’s social media presence to provide community engagement and transparency. Under his leadership, his department joined a mental health collaborative with four other Police Departments, providing his community and Police Officers with 24-hour mental health support from clinicians who also responded with officers. This co-response model has become essential for today’s law enforcement. Prior to becoming Chief, Rich was a Detective Lieutenant who was responsible for investigations, and the department’s evidence function. Rich became the department’s accreditation manager in 2007, resulting in the department becoming the 38 th Massachusetts agency to become certified, in 2010.

While Chief, Rich served on the Executive Board of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), the Executive Board of the Middlesex Chiefs of Police Association and the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association as a member of the
legislative committee. He also served in his community, including as a member of the Tyngsborough Disability Commission, Tyngsborough / Dunstable Rotary, and the Salvation Army.

Rich holds a Juris Doctorate, a master’s degree in criminal justice administration, and a master’s degree in public administration. He has extensive experience in all facets of police administration, department operations, managing critical incidents, and leading an agency through crisis and stress. He has attended numerous executive leadership
courses through FBI-LEEDA, Massachusetts Police Institute, and Roger Williams University. Rich has also been an instructor with Southern New Hampshire University since 2014, teaching various criminal justice related courses.

Rich brings forward a wealth of experience and knowledge to enhance client communications and operations.