Crime & Safety
New Police Chief Takes Over In Newton
The new leader was hired by the current and former mayors from a nearby community's police department.
NEWTON, MA — Mayor Marc Laredo introduced Timothy Cohoon as Newton’s newest Chief of Police.
The decision to hire Cohoon was made jointly by Laredo and former mayor Ruthanne Fuller. Cohoon has more than 30 years of experience in the law enforcement field, including the last three as the police chief for the city of Braintree. Cohoon resigned from his position at Braintree Monday in order to accept his new position.
“Few people are fortunate enough to spend most of their career serving the community that helped shape them, and I am deeply grateful for that opportunity,” Cohoon said about his time in Braintree. “I want to sincerely thank the residents of Braintree for their trust, support, and partnership.”
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According to the Braintree Police Department, one of Cohoon’s greatest accomplishments during his tenure was modernizing the department’s operation with new technology. He looked after more than 125 people as the department’s leader. He also was a driving force behind creating the department’s first formal training division. Cohoon is succeeding George McMains in Newton, who retired earlier this month after 29 years working as a Newton police officer. He took over as chief in November 2024 when former chief John Carmichael took a leave of absence.
“An accomplished and experienced leader, Chief Cohoon believes being an effective leader requires vision, high standards, and a strong team. Importantly, he knows that community trust is essential and that police departments, stakeholders and residents co-produce public safety,” Laredo said. “As he wrote in his cover letter when applying for the position in Newton, “Without our partners in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, the BPD would not be nearly as successful as it is now.”
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Cohoon received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England University, and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia. He is slated to officially assume his new role at the end of February.
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