Appointment will go before Board of Aldermen for approval

David Fallon, current Somerville Police Deputy Chief of Operations, has accepted an offer from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone to become the City’s new Chief of Police. Mayor Curtatone will formally request the confirmation of Fallon’s appointment at the next regular Board of Aldermen meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Born and raised in Somerville, Fallon joined the Somerville Police Department in 1998 as a patrolman. A graduate of Somerville High School whose parents still live in the city, Fallon rose through the ranks to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and eventually deputy chief. He has also served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring at the rank of master sergeant, and holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College, a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from University of Massachusetts-Boston, and an associate degree in applied science from Community College of the Air Force.

Fallon’s accomplishments in Somerville include the implementation of the Police Department’s Smart Policing Grant, which reduces crime and repeat offenders by using data analysis to inform an evidence-based and problem-oriented policing model. The program is part of the only regional smart policing initiative in the country, in partnership with Cambridge and Everett. He also led the Somerville Police Department’s pilot of one of the first juvenile jail diversion programs in the country, in conjunction with the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, steering juvenile offenders away from the criminal justice system and towards lives of achievement and opportunity, which likewise reduces repeat offenders.

Fallon led the effort to develop a regional crisis intervention team, resulting in a new center in Somerville that trains police officers from Somerville and neighboring communities on how to respond to individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues, helping improve outcomes for people in the criminal justice system primarily because of behavioral issues and cognitive limitations. As East District Commander for two-and-a-half years, Fallon oversaw a 15 percent decrease in part one crimes—aggravated assault, rape, murder, robbery, arson, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft—compared to the two-and-a-half years preceding his tenure as commander. Fallon’s last 12 months as East District Commander saw a 27 percent decline in robberies, a 37 percent decline in car breaks and a 38 percent decline in car thefts.“David Fallon exemplifies what we want in the Somerville Police Department—dedication to this city and its residents, a desire to find ways to reduce crime that go beyond arrests and convictions, a commitment to evidence-based decision making, and a spirit of collaboration,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “We had excellent candidates for our new Chief of Police, and I want to thank our finalists, everyone who applied for the position, and the tremendous work of the Police Chief Search Committee. I am extremely pleased to recommend David to the Board of Aldermen as the next leader of the Somerville Police Department.”

“I feel that I’ve been given a great opportunity by the City to work with the men and women of the Somerville Police Department and make it a national model for community policing,” said Fallon. “Our department has made great strides in the past, and we’re going to continue making strides, working collaboratively with the community, other City departments and organizations, and each officer to keep Somerville a safe and thriving city.”

“The Somerville Police Department has evolved into a model of community policing, where law enforcement proactively works with the community to yield positive outcomes instead of acting solely in a reactive, punitive way. David Fallon has been a big part of that evolution,” said Alderman at-Large Jack Connolly, the Board of Aldermen representative on the Police Chief Search Committee. “The Search Committee put a lot of work into finding the best candidates among those who applied, resulting in the right candidate to lead our department further into the 21st century.”

“This was a thorough process with a great deal of diligence that took place over a long period of time, which created a pool of candidates that were highly qualified and resulted in the selection of an officer with a substantial record of integrity and deep commitment to the community and to excellence,” said Stanley Pollock, Executive Director of the Center for Teen Empowerment.“Dave will bring a great deal of imagination, energy to the department’s connection to the community, and an amazing approach to policing that is going to put Somerville on a whole new level. The results for the city are going to be dynamic.”

The City selected Waters Consulting Group through a request for proposals in December to assist in the search for a new police chief. Working with the Police Chief Search Committee, Waters Consulting representative Chuck Rohre interviewed City officials and over 40 constituent group representatives, held a public hearing and conducted a citywide survey that had more than 200 responses to obtain input on the qualities and characteristics desired of the next police chief. By the April deadline, 37 candidates applied for the position, which the Search Committee narrowed down to four initial finalists. A public hearing with the four finalists was held on June 25, with the public submitting questions through the City website and in writing at locations around the city. A team of City officials led by the Mayor then interviewed each of the candidates before narrowing the finalists down to two. Mayor Curtatone and a team of officials conducted site visits on July 21 and 31 before recommending Fallon for the position. Former Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello announced in late 2013 that he would step down in order to care for a family member. Charlie Femino has been serving as Acting Chief of Police since Dec. 1, 2013.

— City of Somerville