Framingham’s First Female Superior Officer Retiring

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FRAMINGHAM – When Patricia Grigas joined the Framingham Police Department 25 years ago, she was not the first female officer in the department, but during her 32 year career she has made a lot of firsts and history in the department.

“When I joined there were about six or seven other women here,” said Lt. Grigas, who will retire from the Framingham Police Department today, March 12.

She is the first-ever sergeant in the Framingham Police Department and the first-ever female lieutenant in the department.

Her departure means there is just one other woman who is a ranking officer in the department, that has just 13% of its force as women.

“She is a trailblazer,” said Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker. “She is going to be missed. Most people don’t realize the impact she has on this department day-to-day.”

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“Lt. Patricia Grigas has been a dedicated, committed and loyal employee for the Framingham Police Department for many years. She has been an inspiration to many officers especially for female officers in the department and throughout the area,” said Framingham Deputy Police Chief Ron Brandolini.

Lt. Grigas, who started her career in Groton and Sudbury, transferred to Framingham 25 years ago, and will end a 32-year public policing career today.

She was the first female shift commander in the department’s history.

She was been a patrol officer and a detective. She served in internal affairs, with her last assignment in the training division. She has been serving as the department’s media spokesperson, for the last couple of years.

In 2012, she graduated from the FBI National Academy. Other graduates of the academy included former police chiefs Steven Carl and Ken Ferguson and former Framingham deputy chief Craig Davis, who later served as Ashland Chief.

“I’m the only one in the department currently who has graduated from the FBI Academy,” said Lt. Grigas.

“She was an inspirational to all the officers,” said Chief Baker. “She did things that have never been done here.”

“Patty is a huge part of history at the Framingham Police Department having been the first female sergeant and lieutenant and that can never be taken away. We wish her luck as she moves into the next chapter of her life,” said Deputy Police Chief Brandolini.