Hubbardston Police Chief Perron reflects on 16 years of community service

HUBBARDSTON – After more than 16 years of service to the community and nearly four decades in law enforcement, Chief of Police Dennis Perron has decided to call it a career.

Perron’s last day on the job was July 15, when the position of top cop in the town was handed over to Sgt. Ryan Couture.

“I think I’ve accomplished everything I’ve wanted to accomplish, and I think it’s time to move south and enjoy the weather 12 months a year,” Perron said.

But Perron said he would always be proud of what he had accomplished as the top law enforcement officer in the community, especially leading the town through challenges such as town financial issues, recessions, ice storms, changes in government, and COVID-19.

“And being able to come in under budget every year and best serve the residents of Hubbardston, I think I did that with honor, respect and humility during my time here,” he said. “And I did everything I could for anybody who walked in my door.”

Perron, 60, began his career in law enforcement as a patrol officer in his hometown of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in 1985. After moving up the ranks of the department, he retired as a detective-lieutenant in 2006. In March of that year, Perron was selected to lead the Hubbardston Police Department.

“I started on March 26, and I’ve been here ever since,” he said.

Becoming the chief of a department is an accomplishment almost every police officer aspires to, Perron admitted.

“I always dreamt of having my own department and taking the things I’ve learned from the many leaders I’ve worked for – good and bad – and applying them (as) chief of police here,” Perron said, adding that the importance of community policing was one of the most valuable lessons he learned from his many mentors throughout his career. “I still strongly believe in community policing, the humble cop who interacts with the public in a nice way because, unfortunately, many times, were not in a situation where it’s a happy day for the family or the person that we’re dealing with.”

Hubbardston, Perron added, was the perfect town in which to implement his community policing strategy.

“It’s a small town, and I think (community policing) has worked and I think it will continue to work,” he said.

Couture, who has been a member of the department for 21 years, will serve as interim chief for six months while the town’s select board searches for a new chief. Perron said he spent the past few years showing Couture the ropes when it came to budgeting and managing the day-to-day operations of the department.

“I feel he’s done everything he could to prepare himself to be a very effective chief,” Perron said.

During his time at the department, Couture has served as detective, patrolman and dispatcher, according to officials. As interim chief, he will lead the department, develop goals and evaluate members for their ability to serve in future leadership positions.

As his retirement date drew near, Perron said he was grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. He said those cards, letters, and emails meant a lot to someone who spent the first few decades of his career in a relatively large city.

“Coming from a city, where there is a different relationship with the community than there is here, there is obviously a much more personal connection,” he said. “So, the well-wishes and the cookies I’ve received and everything else that has been dropped off has meant a lot to me – and it says I must have done something right over the last 16½ years, and people actually care.”

As Perron prepares to head south to Florida to begin enjoying his retirement, one thing he said he will remember with fondness is the 10 years of helping students crossing the street to and from school each morning and afternoon.

“I’ll miss the interaction with the kids, meeting the classes, seeing their faces and giving them stickers – that really meant a lot to me,” Perron said.

And were there any aspects of his job Perron will remember with something less than fondness?

“I really won’t miss the weather,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Hubbardston Police Chief Perron reflects on sixteen years of community service