Montague swears in new police chief

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MONTAGUE — Former police chief Raymond J. Zukowski Jr. pinned the badge to Charles “Chip” Dodge III’s uniform Wednesday in a ceremony marking Dodge’s promotion to chief of the department in which he has served for 20 years.

Friends, family, colleagues past and present, town officials and employees gathered in the community room of the Montague Public Safety Complex to celebrate Dodge’s promotion Wednesday night.

“It’s an honor to have all of you here to witness this,” Dodge said. “This has been a dream of mine, this is a wonderful community as those of you who live here know.”

Town Clerk Debra Bourbeau the swore Dodge in as chief.

Dodge said he intends to maintain an open door policy and invited anyone with suggestions, complaints or feedback to stop by his office.

Dodge thanked the Montague Board of Selectmen for their trust, department administrative assistant Marsha Odle and town administrative secretary Wendy Bogusz for their help with his new responsibilities and family for their support.

“Without their love and their support it would really be hard to do this,” Dodge said, introducing sons Jacob, 9, and Kyle, 12 and wife Candice, whom he presented with a vase of roses.

Dodge, 41, has led the department since his appointment as interim chief in July, his position cemented in November by the Board of Selectmen and contract negotiations completed this month.

A three-year contract ending Nov. 13, 2015 sets the chief’s starting annual salary at $70,579.60, with benefits.

Beginning with the department as a part-timer in 1992, Dodge became a full time patrolman in 1993 and worked his way up from a downtown foot and bicycle beat to sergeant before Zukowski’s retirement last November.

The Montague Police Department has been without a permanent chief since Zukowski left.

You can reach Chris Curtis at:
ccurtis@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 257