Police Chief Robert Bongiorno to Retire

~ Submitted by The Town of Bedford

Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno has announced his retirement, wrapping up a career in public service that has spanned more than 32 years. Before his appointment as Bedford’s Police Chief, he served in the Arlington and Concord police departments.

In Chief Bongiorno’s words: “I hold the Bedford Police Department in the highest regard. It has been the honor of my life to serve as chief for these past 10.5 years and to work alongside such a committed group of professionals and lifesavers. The officers and emergency communicators of the Bedford Police Department comprise the finest group of women and men that I have met in my life and career.”

Select Board Chair Margot Fleischman said: “The Town of Bedford has been incredibly fortunate to have Chief Bongiorno lead our Police Department for more than a decade. He has been a regional leader in so many areas of 21^st century community policing, including his passion for restorative justice, domestic violence services, mental health services, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Chief Bongiorno has been a responsive, accessible, and caring member of our community who has truly shown up for the residents of Bedford. I will miss his partnership and wish him all possible success in the next chapter of his career.”

Town Manager Sarah Stanton stated: “When I was a new Town Manager, Chief Bongiorno helpfully went out of his way to take time with me to introduce me to town. His thoughtful and fair leadership style, and his sense of humor, brought so much value to the Town and has earned his widely respected reputation in the community. His departure will be a great loss to Bedford, but I am excited for him and his family as he begins the next chapter of his law enforcement career.”

Chief Bongiorno’s last day will be February 28. He had been planning to retire in the Fall of 2022, but was offered a high-profile, but immediate, opportunity in the private sector.

Details of the transition to a new chief will be announced in the coming weeks, and Chief Bongiorno has assured Town leadership that he will be fully available to assist in the transition.