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Chief Sweeney Announces Retirement from the Hanover Police Department

Posted on: October 13, 2021 - 6:33pm
Chief Sweeney

Hanover Police Chief Walter L. Sweeney has announced his plans to retire on December 31, 2021, after a dedicated and exemplary career with the Town of Hanover.

Chief Sweeney began his career with the Town of Hanover in 1977 as a volunteer firefighter. He went on to become an emergency communications center dispatcher in 1978, police officer in 1982, Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant/Executive Officer in 1997, and was sworn in as Hanover’s Police Chief in 2008.

Chief Sweeney’s leadership and commitment to reforming law enforcement’s role towards drug addiction and recovery is among his greatest achievements. He has been on the Advisory Board of the Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) since its inception in 2017. In response to surges in fatal and non-fatal overdoses, PCO was established to provide those suffering from drug addiction and substance abuse, as well as their family members and loved ones, to different access points of treatment, while offering caring, compassionate support.  The PCO model, which Chief Sweeney was instrumental in creating, has been recognized nationally for its innovation and results. In 2018, Plymouth County was cited in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s annual report for its 26% decrease in fatal overdoses, while the state average was a 1% decrease. Chief Sweeney is also a member of the National Police Council for Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.).

Chief Sweeney is a graduate of Hanover High School, Stonehill College, and Western New England University. The Chief has been a long-time instructor at the Massachusetts State Police Academy and has served on the Southeastern Massachusetts Police Chief’s Association Board of Directors since 2010.

The Town of Hanover would like to congratulate Chief Walter L. Sweeney on his exemplary career and service to our community. We wish Chief Sweeney and his family the very best in retirement.

The Town will formally honor Chief Sweeney and wish him well as he transitions into the next chapter of his life in the near future.