Packed Crowd Gathers at Memorial Hall for Swearing-In Ceremony
Surrounded by family, local officials, regional law enforcement leaders, and well-wishers, George J. DiBlasi was officially sworn in yesterday morning as Norwood’s new Police Chief. Approximately 100 people packed into Memorial Hall for the brief induction ceremony and reception, marking Day One of the 40-year-old former Westwood lieutenant’s tenure leading the Norwood police force.
Reflecting on his immediate priorities, Chief DiBlasi announced that his first official internal gathering would be an informal, get-acquainted session focused on general discussion rather than sweeping policy shifts. “I think it’s too early to get into policy,” DiBlasi remarked the previous evening. Attendance at the morning meeting was welcomed but not mandatory for department personnel.
Notable Dignitaries & Ceremony Highlights
Law Enforcement & Academic Leadership
- Retired Leadership: Retired Chief **James F. Curran** and Lieutenant **John J. Wall** (who served as acting chief for several months).
- Regional Chiefs: Chief **Armando Betro** of Walpole and Chief **John D. Coyle Jr.** of North Attleboro (President of the New England Chiefs of Police Association and incoming president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association).
- State & Municipal Guests: Deputy Superintendent **Martin F. Mulkern** of the Boston Police Department (a Norwood resident), former State Registrar of Motor Vehicles **Clement A. Riley**, and former Westwood selectman **Thomas Dunn**.
- Academic Ties: Dean **Timothy Moran** of the College of Criminal Justice at Northeastern University, where DiBlasi previously studied.
Special Presentations & Remarks
- Historical Collage: Retired Chief Curran presented Chief DiBlasi with a framed collage of vintage police photographs compiled from the archives of veteran photographer **Eugene “Scoop” McLean**, prepared by former finance commissioner **George T. Mahoney**.
- Board Support: Selectmen Chairman **John F. Kinnaly** expressed strong satisfaction with DiBlasi’s professional vision, noting that updated police rules and regulations are already being reviewed for board approval.
- Community Greeting: The uniformed corps of women school crossing guards turned out in full force to welcome the new chief.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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