BEDFORD — Town Manager Sarah Stanton is pleased to announce to the community that, after an extensive search process, John C. Fisher has accepted the role as Bedford’s new Chief of Police.

Fisher, the current Carlisle Police Chief, brings nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience to his new role in Bedford. He spent 22 years with the Nashua Police Department, rising to the role of captain. He was named Carlisle’s chief in 2011 and has served in that role since then.

During his time in Carlisle, Fisher has been a noted leader in the region and statewide. In addition to managing the department’s 25 members, Fisher has served as control chief for the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) SWAT Team for the past 10 years, leading a highly-trained group of more than 280 police officers for the regional police mutual aid consortium. In his role as control chief, Fisher has provided security assurance for some of the region’s highest profile events, including the Boston Marathon.

In Carlisle, Fisher partnered on vital initiatives including Communities for Restorative Justice and the Central Middlesex Police Partnership. He also put Carlisle police department on the path to state accreditation for the first time and oversaw successful technology modernization efforts.

Fisher has been given a conditional offer of employment. Town Manager Stanton will appoint him to serve as Police Chief, with the Select Board expected to confirm his appointment at their October 11 meeting.

The Town of Bedford hired Public Safety Consultants LLC to conduct the search and candidate recruitment process. A total of 22 candidates applied and went through a full assessment center process to determine their suitability for the role.

“This was a competitive and detailed recruitment process to select our next Police Chief – I am appreciative to the many high-caliber candidates who stepped forward, and to the community members who helped shape this important decision. Chief Fisher will be a wonderful addition to Bedford and I look forward to welcoming him to our community” Town Manager Stanton said. “The Bedford Police Department is a leader in community policing and procedural justice, and I am confident Chief Fisher will build upon this strong foundation.”

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