During last night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager John J. Carroll announced he will provide a definitive decision by September 9 regarding whether appointed Police Chief Arthur V. Deutcsh will assume the role or if the town will reopen its search.
Carroll stated he will either announce an official start date for Deutcsh—a 49-year-old New York City police captain who oversees 120 detectives, formerly served as a mounted policeman, and authored a police novel—or begin seeking another candidate, though he declined to label the date a strict deadline.
Deutcsh was originally appointed on April 14 to succeed retiring Chief James F. Curran and was scheduled to begin work on July 1. However, his transition has been stalled by difficulties locating housing in the Norwood area. While selectmen would prefer the chief to reside in Norwood, they have indicated they would accept a home in a nearby community. Deutcsh explained that he has made ten trips to the region but has faced persistent hurdles due to high housing costs and soaring mortgage rates. Although he has no firm timeline for securing a home, Deutcsh affirmed that he still wants the position and plans to retire from the NYPD as soon as a purchase is finalized.
Selectman Urges Strict Deadline
Selectman Thomas A. Riolo expressed growing frustration with the prolonged vacancy, urging Carroll during the meeting to issue a September 8 deadline and threatening to ask the full board to mandate a cutoff if Carroll does not act. “I want him here by Sept. 8,” Riolo told Carroll. “I suggest you look for a new man by Sept. 9.”
Riolo maintained that Deutcsh remains the right choice for the department but argued the town has waited long enough, charging that Deutcsh had not shown sufficient urgency and should have rented a local apartment to conduct a full-time, two-week house hunt.
Upcoming School Registration
In separate town announcements, the school department noted that guidance counselors will be on duty at the senior high and junior high schools from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday of next week, to assist students and new residents with course registration and program inquiries.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Police Stories
-
Norwood Police Quell Large House Party Disturbance on Natatan Street-August 20, 1976
A massive house party on Natatan Street drawing 250 youths erupted into a rowdy disturbance, prompting Norwood police officers Thomas Michienzi and Paul Bishop to call for backup.
-
Norwood Gets 3 Patrolmen On Transfers-June 23, 1976
Canton and Medfield officers return to their hometown to fill immediate vacancies on the Norwood police force.
-
Norwood Selectmen Break Policy to Address Police Hiring Crisis-July 9, 1975
Discover the 1975 municipal crisis that led Norwood to reevaluate its restrictive police hiring policies and the ongoing efforts to improve public safety on the “automobile row” of Route 1.
-
Area Police Complete Prosecutor Training-May 24, 1972
Twenty‑two Massachusetts police officers received formal recognition last night after completing a one‑semester, college‑level prosecutor training program at Dean Junior College in Franklin. The certificates were presented during a brief ceremony at the Norwood Police Station, where Norfolk County District Attorney George G. Burke praised the officers’ commitment and emphasized that police prosecutors would remain…
-
Norwood Police Chief James M. Murphy Considered for State Commissioner of Public Safety-August 7, 1969
Following an introduction by Rep. Alan P. Danovitch, Norwood Police Chief James M. Murphy met with Governor Francis W. Sargent as one of 15 candidates under consideration to succeed retiring Public Safety Commissioner Leo L. Laughlin.
-
Norwood’s “Parking Picnic” Ends, Visible Parking Tickets and Fines Begin-August 17, 1966
After a 65-day parking moratorium, Norwood police will begin issuing new visible parking tickets on Monday under a revised fine structure authorized by the June special town meeting.
-
Norwood Police & Fire Department Jimmy Fund Baseball Game-September 1, 1965
Norwood Police & Fire Department Jimmy Fund Baseball Game, September 1, 1965
-
Eight Norwood Police Officers Take Civil Service Examination for Lieutenant-July 29, 1965
Two police sergeants and six patrolmen took the Civil Service examination for lieutenant, competing for a starting salary of $7,103.25.
-
Norwood Police Chief James M. Murphy Proposes New Safety Initiatives-July 9, 1965
Discover the 1965 tactical initiatives of the Norwood Police Department, including the creation of a 15-man riot squad and proposals for walkie-talkies and police dogs to enhance town safety.
-
Norwood Officer Thwarts Bank Break Attempt Here-June 21, 1962
What police believe might have been an attempt to burglarize the Norwood Office of the Union Savings Bank at Guild Square was nipped in the bud last Wednesday night by an alert Norwood patrolman. It was shortly after 10:00 p.m. when Patrolman James Michienzie, tried a rear basement door and the door fell from its…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.