(Kevin Coleman/WBZ NewsRadio)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Governor Charlie Baker introduced Lt. Col. Christopher Mason as the new head of the Massachusetts State Police Wednesday.
"I consider this opportunity to be the greatest gift of my professional life," Mason said at the announcement event. "The opportunity to lead and serve the men and women who serve and protect the Commonwealth."
Mason will move up in rank from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel.
"Twenty-six years he has spent in the department, rising up through the ranks and various units," Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said. "That obviously prepared him for this moment."
Mason says vehicle trackers and body cameras will be installed for police officers as he begins his new role.
"I would like to move those forward, we have some new leadership over at the union and I'm optimistic that we'll be able to move those forward," Mason said.
This follows Col. Kerry Gilpin's announcement last week that she will retire November 15. She was appointed as Superintendent of the force back in November 2017, and served the State Police for 25 years.
"Serving as the Colonel/Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police has been the greatest honor of my professional life," Gilpin said in a statement. "I want to thank Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito for the trust they placed in me to lead this agency and to implement critically important operational and fiscal reforms."
WBZ NewsRadio's Kevin Coleman (@KevinColemanWBZ) reports
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