'Everybody is capable here': Loring Barrett reflects on 17 years as Ashburnham Police chief

ASHBURNHAM — Chief of Police Loring Barrett Jr., who recently announced his decision to retire after 17 years in the position, holds a notable distinction in the annals of Massachusetts law enforcement history — he was the first self-sponsored candidate to attend the state’s police academy.

After graduating from Oakmont Regional High School in 1982 and then working in the private sector for a few years, Barrett began his career in law enforcement in 1987 when he was hired as a part-time police officer in Hubbardston.

After a few years, he decided he wanted to work full time. But there were no full-time openings available, and in order to attend the police academy in Needham he needed a full-time job.

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“So, after talking to a lot of people and going through a process, we were able to get permission from the state to allow me to go to the police academy and not have a full-time job,” he explained, adding that self-sponsored candidates with part-time positions are common at the academy today. “But I was the first one in the state that actually did that back in 1989.”

Barrett, 59, was hired as a full-time officer in Hubbardston a year later. He said the top job in the department was something he had aggressively pursued during his career.

“When I make up my mind about something, I really put 100% into it,” he said. “I was taking night courses, college courses, administrative courses, just trying to prepare myself for the next level.”

The hard work paid off. Barrett became Hubbardston's chief of police in 1998.

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During his time as chief, Barrett obtained an associate's degree from Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, and then bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Curry College in Milton. He also attended the FBI National Academy’s 10-week program in Quantico, Virginia, in 2003.

“Only 1% of the country’s administrative personnel is selected to go to that training, so it is unique,” Barrett said.

In 2005, Barrett applied to become Ashburnham's police chief and was selected for the position in October of that year.

“And I’ve been here ever since,” he said, adding that his last day as chief would be July 15.

When Barrett left the chief’s position in Hubbardston, he was replaced by Dennis Perron, who also recently announced his retirement after 16 years, effective July 15. Barrett said it's a coincidence the two men decided to retire at the same time, although he pointed out with a chuckle that his announcement was first.

“I actually think he’s copying me because I announced my retirement — not publicly but to my town administrator and fellow chiefs — back in April, so I think he’s copying me,” Barrett said.

Restructuring the department and making it a productive workplace is what Barrett is most proud of in his tenure as chief.

“When I think back over 17 years, we brought this department up not only staff-wise but we created a working rank structure that was obviously the right thing to do because everybody is promoting from within and we don’t have to look outside the department to find a chief or a lieutenant because everybody is capable here,” he said.

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Lt. Chris Conrad will take over as chief on July 15, according to Barrett.

Town Administrator Brian Doheny said the policies and procedures put in place during Barrett’s tenure have prepared the department well.

“His knowledge will be missed but we commend him on his countless accomplishments throughout his many years here,” Doheny said. “Chief Barrett has been an inspiration to the community with his dedication and professionalism.”

Explaining that a chief is only as good as the people working for him, Barrett said he's grateful to his staff for their hard work and support. He gave special praise to the dispatchers, saying they are town’s true “first” first responders.

“They deal with stuff before police or fire or EMS,” he said. “They’re the ones taking the calls, they’re giving CPR over the phone, they’re dispatching the proper personnel. Because without them, we’re not going, right? Those men and woman deserve a lot of credit because that’s a tough job.”

Barrett also thanked residents for supporting the department during his tenure as chief.

“We wouldn’t be what we are today and we wouldn’t have been able to succeed in providing the level of service that we do for the community without their support,” he said. “I’m forever grateful that they were there.”

Camaraderie within the department is something Barrett said he would miss. He said that especially applies during the past few years, which — due to COVID-19 and the death of George Floyd — have not been easy ones for law enforcement. In fact, he said one issue the next chief would likely face is the dwindling number of police officer candidates.

“Five years ago, if I advertised for a full-time police officer, I would get anywhere up to 50 applicants — we’re lucky to get 10 today,” he said.

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Barrett, who still lives in Hubbardston, said he would remain with the department part time for a while to help make the transition between chiefs as smooth as possible. He will also remain executive director of the Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, a part-time position to which he was appointed last year. A job in the private sector was also a possibility, he said.“I’m not looking, obviously, to totally retire, but it is time for me to step down from what I’m doing now and let the people that have been training and getting ready to move forward,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Ashburnham Police Chief Loring Barrett reflects on career, department