Somerville Police Chief David Fallon is retiring from the SPD after 21 years.

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On March 6, Somerville Police Chief David Fallon resigned, effective December 2020, after 21 years with the Somerville Police Department. He felt it was time for a new chapter in his life.

“I want to thank you for the faith you have shown in me by allowing me to serve as your Chief of Police for the last six years,” he wrote in his letter of resignation. “To the residents of this great city, I want to thank you for your engagement with the city and police department. All of our accomplishments as a department have been in conjunction with the residents of this community, and we have been empowered by your involvement.”

A Somerville native, Fallon was appointed as police chief in 2014 after serving on the force since 1998. Before that, he served in the U.S. Air Force and retired at the rank of master sergeant.

He thanked Mayor Joe Curtatone for being an “exceptional leader” and commended the City Council for its passion.

"I am very proud of what Chief Fallon has done in Somerville, especially his nationally recognized work around community policing," said Curtatone. "He will be greatly missed and his replacement will have big shoes to fill, but I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement."

Fallon will remain on the job until December 2020. According to the city, the process of replacing the chief does not have a set time frame, but if the chief leaves before a replacement is found there will be an interim or acting chief.

“To the men and women of the Somerville Police Department, it has been an honor to serve as your chief for the last six years,” he wrote. “I have been inspired on a daily basis to witness your bravery, empathy, and compassion. Together we have achieved so many milestones.”

Among those milestones, Fallon noted achieving accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, being a leader in harm reduction and compassionate policing, creating the Office of Community Outreach Help and Recovery, and being one of five departments recognized in Washington, D.C.’s National Law Enforcement Museum’s community policing exhibit.

“I look forward to concluding my 21 years of service by continues our collective efforts to fulfill our stated mission,” he wrote. “It has been an honor to serve this community, and I will carry my love of this city and my respect for all of you with me always.”