Bedford’s incoming interim chief of police told the Select Board Monday that he is emerging from retirement only because the opportunity is in Bedford,
Kenneth Fong, a retired Boston Police Department captain, said in response to a question from Board member William Moonan that the “community is near and dear to my heart. That’s the main thing that got me back in the game.” He added that he wouldn’t have taken a similar interim post elsewhere.
Town Manager Sarah Stanton appointed Fong following Police Chief Robert Bongiorno’s announced retirement. Bongiorno’s last day is next Monday. Stanton told the board that Fong and his wife “do all of their shopping in Bedford.”
Fong said he worked in all aspects of policing during his 33 years with the Boston force. The interim position “is an opportunity for me to put that experience to use in Bedford, which I am really looking forward to.”
The Select Board unanimously ratified the appointment, with an end date not later than Aug. 31. Stanton said she is preparing a request for proposals from assessment centers, one of which will be chosen to recruit a permanent chief of police.
Bongiorno, who has been Bedford chief of police for more than 10 years, has accepted a position in security management with Massachusetts General Hospital. Stanton said she and municipal department heads feel “mixed emotions” as Bongiorno departs—pleased for his professional success, and sorry about his departure.
Stanton said Bongiorno was very helpful to her when she first arrived. “We all have been so lucky that we had the chance to work with him,” the town manager said, noting, “You deeply trust his judgment.” Select Board members also thanked and lauded the departing chief.
Bongiorno said his retirement from the department was “a really difficult decision,” but one that was “best for our family.” He said the department is “a unique group” that “embodies what the ‘Bedford way’ is all about. I am honored to have worked with them.”
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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