18 hours ago
New Bedford's embattled police department gets a new chief
'His leadership, which emphasizes accountability, data-driven decision making and transparency, produced objective accomplishments: a 31 percent decrease in violent crime, the department's removal from judicial oversight, and national and state accreditation, all while navigating the challenges of the pandemic and the civil unrest that followed,' Mitchell's statement said.
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The changes come in the wake of a Globe Spotlight Team investigation, '
The Spotlight Team series and podcast,
Much of the abuse occurred under Oliveria's watch during the period he served as head of internal affairs, deputy chief, and later, chief.
Oliveira, who became the police chief in 2021, announced his retirement in February shortly after the Globe began promoting its series. He declined multiple requests for interviews from the Globe, but
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Oliveira's replacement, Thody, began his career in Hartford as a patrol cadet in 1996. Over the years, he served as commander of the crime scene division, supervisor of the emergency response team, commander of accreditation, and the department's 'special advocate,' a position responsible for prosecuting major cases of police misconduct, according to Mitchell's statement.
After retiring, Thody founded a law enforcement consulting firm to advise clients on public safety leadership, training, and organizational operations, according to the statement.
'It is essential that the NBPD sustain the improvements it has made in recent years, and Chief Thody is particularly well-suited to make that happen and to fortify the public's trust and confidence in its police,' Mitchell said in his statement.
Thody said he was 'honored' to accept the role in New Bedford.
'I'm looking forward to meeting the men and women of the NBPD to listen to their ideas, engaging with the residents of New Bedford on how the department can work hand-in-hand with them, and connecting with critics and supporters to make New Bedford a safer city,' Thody said in the statement.
After Oliveira's retirement, Mayor Mitchell appointed a screening committee to review and interview applicants and recommend finalists for the mayor's consideration. Thody was selected from 21 applicants.
'I wish to thank the committee for their thoughtful and conscientious vetting of the candidates, which strengthened the credibility of the process in the eyes of the public, the candidates and the members of the police department alike,' Mitchell's statement said.
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The terms of Thody's contract are being completed. When that is done, he will be sworn in, Mitchell said.
In the meantime, Assistant Deputy Chief Derek Belong will continue to serve as acting chief.
Thody also serves as program director for Connecticut's Division of Criminal Justice. He earned a bachelor's degree from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn., and a master's degree in public safety from the University of Virginia.
Thody is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police.
Violent crime in New Bedford has dropped 60 percent over the last decade, and property crime is down 52 percent over the same period, according to the FBI, Mitchell's statement said. The agency also is continuing to implement reforms recommended by a nationally renowned law enforcement consulting firm, Mitchell said.
The police department brought in the Boston-based firm, Jensen Hughes, 'to perform a top-to-bottom assessment in an effort to improve and better serve the residents of New Bedford,' Mitchell's statement said.
The city also hired, 21st Century Policing Solutions, which specializes in law enforcement training, to examine the department's use of informants, as well as its internal affairs process. A final report from the firm, including reform recommendations, is expected to be provided to the city later this summer.
Messages left with Thody and Mitchell's office weren't immediately returned Tuesday.
Tonya Alanez can be reached at
