By Scott Shurtleff
sshurtleff@nashobavalleyvoice.com
GROTON — Newly appointed Police Chief Michael Luth was officially sworn in Monday afternoon in front of a large crowd at Town Hall. The 5 p.m. ceremony saw the new chief accept the reins from acting Chief James Cullen, who will return to his role as deputy.
Luth’s wife, Jennifer, did the actual pinning on of the badge in front of a packed room of fellow officers, family members and townspeople in the undersized first floor meeting room. At least 80 people, half in police uniforms, applauded as Town Clerk Mike Bouchard finished off the ceremonial oath of office exchange with Luth. He will begin serving his three-year term on July 16, according to the contract specifics outlined by Town Manager Mark Haddad. Until then, he will continue with his duties as Lunenburg’s police lieutenant. He will serve as the 16th chief since the Groton Police Department became an officially registered organization in 1911.
Luth, a Groton native whose law enforcement career spans three decades, will leave his most recent post as a lieutenant in Lunenburg’s police force. His career began when he was an auxiliary officer for the Groton Police Department in 1990, and has come full circle. Since then he has earned a master’s degree in criminal justice and served as an officer in several local communities, including Tyngsboro. Also highlighting his 26 years of experience is a stint as a U.S. Secret Service Agent.
“I have been very fortunate to have lots of chiefs in my life to mentor me,” Luth said, after thanking his family and the Board of Selectmen who voted him in. “I am blessed to have had supportive parents, in a supportive neighborhood and in a great town.”
The search for a new chief began shortly after Donald Palma abruptly announced his retirement in February, forcing Cullen into the interim role since Palma’s May 28 departure. The town vetted 40 candidates for the position. The 49-year-old Luth, a father of two children and a current Groton resident, was chosen among the three finalists in a 5-0 vote June 18.
I am thrilled,” said Jennifer. “We are already a part of this wonderful town.”
Along with the 20 full-time Groton police officers that Luth will lead, dozens of uniformed officers from several area towns attended the ceremony including Ayer, Acton, the State Police, Pepperell, Dunstable Boxboro and others. “As I move between departments, I am left with a few friends from each of them,” he said, explaining the larger-than-expected gathering. One friend on hand was Chief James Marino of the Lunenburg department that Luth will be leaving. Marino had bittersweet emotions in that he is losing a good friend and outstanding officer, but proud that his colleague was chosen to fill a new role.
“I’m very excited to be working with a police department that has such a great reputation,” Luth said in an earlier statement. “And with great people.”
