GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Acting Police Chief Todd Dodge has been appointed as the police chief for the City of Greenfield, effective August 26. Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher announced the appointment Tuesday afternoon.
Dodge was sworn in as acting police chief in February 2024 following the retirement of former Police Chief Robert Haigh. Since his appointment, Dodge and the Greenfield Police Department leadership team have been proactive in implementing new policing practices.
Dodge recently established the Community Impact Division, a unit that focuses on developing meaningful connections throughout the community. The division accomplishes this through routine downtown patrols and serving as a welcoming presence at community events.
In addition, the Greenfield Police Department continues to make progress on the new downtown police substation. Once completed, the substation will provide a central location for the community to connect with the police department.
Another recent community engagement initiative that Dodge executed is the creation of the community liaison position. The liaison connects residents with appropriate resources without police intervention as part of the department’s embrace of service-focused law enforcement.
Following the retirement of Police Chief Robert Haigh, Mayor Desorgher continually considered the prospects of pursuing a nationwide police chief search or vetting an internal candidate during a six-month probation period. The department’s significant strides under Chief Dodge’s leadership inspired the mayor to appoint Dodge after concluding his probation.
“I am honored to appoint Chief Dodge as our new police chief,” said Desorgher. “In his time as acting chief, Dodge made instrumental progress on various initiatives that accelerated the growth of the Greenfield Police Department. His enthusiasm, thoughtful leadership and collaborative spirit will continue to help the department meet the expectations of a modern policing unit.”
“I thought extremely carefully about how this decision impacts our city,” Desorgher added. “Ultimately, I believe Dodge’s terrific progress to date and decades of experience in Greenfield provides strong stability for the police department as they continue accomplishing fantastic new initiatives.”
“It is a tremendous honor to be appointed the Greenfield Police Department chief permanent,” said Dodge. “I am confident we are continuing to march in the right direction. We’ve begun several projects and embraced changes that brought new energy to the department.”
“Our main objective with our new services, such as the civilian liaison position, the Community Impact Division and the downtown substation, is to increase the trust and confidence that the community has in the Greenfield Police Department,” Dodge added. “I will continue working with the same energy that I started with since becoming acting chief to ensure that the Greenfield Police Department is a trusted and reliable agency for all.”
“Todd Dodge has demonstrated that he is not only willing, but wants to work with the community and city councilors to solve problems facing our city,” said City Council President John Bottomley. “I have found him to be honest, straightforward, and responsive.”
“I am pleased that Todd has been offered the permanent position of police chief,” said Public Safety Commission Chair David Moscaritolo. “He and his family have been long-time residents of Franklin County. He knows our needs. Since being acting chief, Dodge has been proactive with community, has increased the downtown police presence and has brought forward proactive improvement plans to the commission for review. I look forward to our continued relationship.”
“Chief Dodge is extremely passionate about Greenfield and the work of the Greenfield Police Department,” said Public Safety Commission member Maria Burge. “His forward-thinking vision for our city makes him an ideal choice as our new police chief.”
A formal swearing-in ceremony for Chief Dodge will be announced at a later date.