Police Chief Search

At a glance

• What: The Mayor's appropriation request (Paper 26-133, Capital and General Stabilization Fund Request 2) for a Police Chief search, and the Council's role in the hiring.
• Where it stands: The appropriation request is tabled. On September 15, 2026 the Council appointed Vice President Lazzaro to the Police Chief interview panel, as the Mayor requested.
• Next: The Council asked the Administration and its consultants to meet publicly with the Council in Committee of the Whole to explain the hiring process and priorities. No date is recorded.

Votes

• August 4, 2026: Chief Buckley and Director of Human Resources Lisa Crowley spoke. Councilor Scarpelli moved to table; failed 3-4 (against Councilor Callahan, Councilor Leming, Councilor Tseng, Vice President Lazzaro). President Bears then moved to table (seconded by Councilor Callahan); approved 5-2, Councilor Leming and Vice President Lazzaro opposed.
• September 15, 2026 (Resolution 26-155, offered by President Bears): Councilor Tseng moved (seconded by Councilor Callahan) to name Vice President Lazzaro; voice vote 6-0 with Councilor Leming recorded absent. Councilor Callahan moved (seconded by Councilor Tseng) to approve the resolution naming Vice President Lazzaro; 6-0.
• September 29, 2026: 26-133 tabled on Councilor Tseng's motion, seconded by Councilor Callahan; 6-0, Councilor Scarpelli absent.
• The dollar amount of the request is not in the minutes text.

Sources

• City Council regular meeting minutes, September 29, 2026: https://medfordma.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=990,plainText=false)
• City Council regular meeting minutes, September 15, 2026: https://medfordma.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=981,plainText=false)
• City Council regular meeting minutes, August 4, 2026: https://medfordma.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=948,plainText=false)

Log

2026-09-29 - City Council

26-133 tabled 6-0.

2026-09-15 - City Council

Vice President Lazzaro appointed to the hiring panel; public briefing requested.

2026-08-04 - City Council

26-133 tabled 5-2 after a first table motion failed 3-4.

2026-10-27 - City Council Regular Meeting

Mayor paper 26-133, a capital and general stabilization fund request related to the Police Chief search, was on the agenda.

2026-11-10 - City Council Regular Meeting

Paper 26-133 (stabilization request 2: $35,000 for a police chief search firm from General Stabilization, balance $6.0 million) is back on the agenda.