Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Governor Maura Healey selected Ret. New Jersey State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble to take on the role of colonel for the Mass. State Police on Thursday.
Read More: Mayor Wu And BPS Superintendent Skipper Welcome Students Back To School
At a press conference in Lowell on childcare, Healey was asked whether she had intended to look outside the current Mass. State Police ranks by hiring Noble from New Jersey.
“You know, the goal was to have the best search possible it’s something that I promised [initially], a nationwide search,” Healey told reporters.
Noble will be the first head of the Mass. State Police hired externally in the agency's history. A 2020 police reform law made this possible.
“I just thought that [Noble] brought the best experience and temperament for the position,” Healey said.
Without being specific, Healey said that she has great confidence in Noble’s ability to meet the complex moment and steer the department in the right direction.
“He’s worked on a number of matters, some of the current day issues that law enforcement is experiencing [today],” added Healey.
Healey still has faith in the agency after a difficult period for troopers including an overtime fraud scheme and crude texts from former MSP trooper Michael Proctor revealed during the Karen Read murder trial.
Noble is scheduled to step into the role in October.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok