Norwood Selectmen Establish Chain of Command for New Police Chief-July 15, 1981

On the evening of July 14, 1981, the Norwood Board of Selectmen held a public meeting to formally interact with the town’s newly appointed police chief, Arthur V. Deutesh. A major focus of the session was the establishment of a clear administrative structure, with the board determining that Arthur V. Deutesh would report directly to Town Manager John J. Carroll, who served as the administrator for the police department. Town Manager John J. Carroll would subsequently report to the selectmen. This hierarchy was emphasized to insulate the new chief from local political pressures, with Selectmen Chairman John F. Kinnaly noting, “He (Deutesh) does not want to get in the arena of politics.” Arthur V. Deutesh, a New York City police captain who was named to succeed James F. Curran in April 1981, participated in the meeting while commuting between his current duties in New York and his new responsibilities in Norwood.

The meeting was largely cordial, though a moment of tension emerged between Selectman William F. Butters and Arthur V. Deutesh. William F. Butters expressed frustration that the incoming chief had not replied to a letter requesting background information regarding his 26-year career in New York and a list of his professional citations. Arthur V. Deutesh explained that he had conferred with his immediate superior, Town Manager John J. Carroll, before choosing not to respond, interpreting the inquiry as an “end-run” around the established chain of command. “I assumed there was a chain of command here that would be followed,” Arthur V. Deutesh stated, adding that he was accustomed to the quasi-military structure of the New York Police Department. While William F. Butters retorted that he did not require a manager to “run interference” for him, Arthur V. Deutesh ultimately assured the board that his career was an “open book” and that he was happy to provide the information.

During the discussion, Arthur V. Deutesh also offered a glimpse into his life outside of law enforcement, revealing that he had authored a police novel titled “Starett.” He humorously expressed his dream cast for a potential film adaptation, suggesting James Caan as the lead and Walter Matthau as a partner. Although he had sold the film rights to a private producer, he maintained a realistic perspective on his literary career, stating, “I’m not Wambaugh. We didn’t sell like that. But we did well.” As the meeting concluded, Norwood officials discussed the logistics of Arthur V. Deutesh’s transition, including the challenge of finding a residence suitable for his family, which included his wife, six children, and his mother. Although the town preferred that he settle locally, the selectmen indicated they would be flexible if a suitable property proved difficult to secure. Arthur V. Deutesh was set to take full charge of the force around August 1, 1981, at a starting salary of approximately $35,600.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger