SB tabs former Middleboro chief for interim role

The Canton Select Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to back the recommendation of Town Administrator Charles Doody and Human Resources Director Jody Middleton and appoint former Middleboro Police Chief Joseph Perkins as the town’s interim chief.

Joseph Perkins

Board members JR McCourt (chair), Mike Loughran, Trish Boyden and Susan Harrington approved a six-month contract for Perkins, who will officially begin on July 1 following the retirement of current Chief Helena Rafferty. Select Board member Chris Albert was absent from the meeting.

A 35-year veteran, Perkins began his career as an officer with the Lakeville and Middleboro police departments and rose through the ranks to become Middleboro’s chief.

Doody said he and Middleton considered two external candidates and ultimately went with Perkins based on his years of experience, his understanding of his role as interim chief, and the fact that Middleboro and Canton are similar in size (both with populations between 24,000 and 25,000). McCourt said he had a chance to talk to Perkins prior to Tuesday night’s meeting and agreed that he’s the “best fit at this time.”

Perkins attended Tuesday’s meeting and said while he has only been to Canton one time in his life, he looked forward to the challenge. He received loud applause from the audience after his remarks.

Perkins said he will rely heavily on existing CPD policies and accreditation standards. He said he looks forward to working with the Select Board and meeting with residents and said he only needed a few weeks to familiarize himself with the CPD staff and the Canton community.

Meanwhile, Doody said his focus will now shift to selecting a pool of prospective consulting firms to assist with a nationwide search for the town’s next permanent chief. Doody said he is putting together a list of options and plans to present it to the board at its next regular meeting on July 8.

In other news from Tuesday night’s meeting …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jun 27 2025. Filed under News, Police & Fire, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.