Marion and Rochester chiefs elected as leaders of police chiefs association

Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli and Rochester Police Chief Michael Assad were selected as the respective president and second vice president of the Southeastern Police Chiefs Association. 

Nighelli and Assad were elected by the members of the association at a December meeting and officially sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 14.  

The association represents police chiefs from communities across Southeastern Massachusetts and provides a forum for leadership development, policy discussion and collaboration.

“It’s an honor to be trusted by my peers to lead the association and represent the Southeastern Massachusetts Police Chiefs,” Nighelli said. “I take that responsibility seriously and I am grateful for their confidence in me.”

Nighelli’s term as president will last one year. 

He said he hopes to strengthen collaboration between departments during his time as president, and is proud to see the Tri-Towns so heavily represented in the association. 

“It reflects the professionalism and dedication of our local departments,” Nighelli said. 

Assad said he is also grateful the Tri-Towns are represented, and said it amplifies the voices of Rochester and other smaller towns. 

“Our needs and our concerns as smaller agencies sometimes go unanswered so it's great that a couple small agencies now have more of a voice throughout all [these] communities,” Assad said. 

Assad said he is honored his peers trusted him to represent the South Coast and plans to be heavily involved with the association. 

He will serve as the second vice president for one year, then as the vice president and president for one year each. 

One of Assad’s goals is to continue training chiefs and command staff to keep them up-to-date with new trends in law enforcement. 

The association represents Barnstable, Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, Nantucket and Norfolk County.