Ashland Town Manager Conducting Background Checks Before Deciding on Police Chief

ASHLAND – Ashland Town Manager is waiting on background reports before making a decision on the community’s next police chief.

On Thursday, March 31, the  two finalists for the Ashland Police Chief position, Natick Police Lt. Cara Rossi and Shirley Police Chief Samuel Santiago, were interviewed by Town Manager Michael Herbert.

Herbert said the public could submit feedback on the candidates through Wednesday, April 6.

“I also plan to ask follow-up questions of the candidates this week and anticipate extending an offer to a candidate by the end of the week (subject to a background check and successful contract negotiations),” Herbert told SOURCE last week.

But the announcement never came last week.

SOURCE reached out to Herbert for a statement.

“As you know, the Thursday before last, I interviewed both Chief candidates in an open public session. Afterward, I met with each candidate separately at one of their local venues to ask additional questions that I had subsequent to the public interviews. Subsequent to that, I have made the decision to conduct background checks on each candidate before making a final decision, so the timeframe really depends on how quickly I get the background reports in,” said Herbert to SOURCE tonight, April 11.

“After I receive the reports I will take my time digesting the information before making the final decision. I appreciate the candidates’ and the public’s patience as I contemplate this major decision,” said the Town Manager to SOURCE>

Acting Police Chief Richard Briggs decided to not pursue the position permanently.

Former Ashland Chief Vincent Alfano retired last July. 

Click here to read the report on the two finalists interviewed for Police Chief.