Congratulations, Chief Delehanty – New chief brings experience, knowledge to post

The announcement by Town Manager James McKenna at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting that he has appointed Terence Delehanty as the new chief of the Winthrop Police Department should comes as no surprise to local residents.

Delehanty, who has been serving as the executive officer in charge of the Winthrop Police Department since this past February (he essentially has been the acting chief), brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new position.

Chief Delehanty, 40, has been a Winthrop police officer since 1995. He is a graduate of the Winthrop High Class of 1987 and has received an associate’s degree in criminal justice from North Shore Community College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UMass-Boston, and a law degree from Massachusetts School of Law in 2002.

Our new chief is continuing a family tradition in the field of law enforcement. His father, Ray, who died in 1991, was a member of the Environmental Police. His brothers, Michael and Sean, are Winthrop police officers. Another brother, Kevin, is a detective with the Natick Police Department.

Delehanty said he was honored and appreciative of the town manager and the council’s confidence in his abilities. He also thanked his wife, Marcy, and his two children, Jennifer and Sarah, for their support and their understanding of his busy schedule.

We are pleased that the town manager looked inside the local department for this promotion. It is fair to say that Mr. McKenna would not have found anyone more qualified than Chief Delehanty, and certainly would not have found anyone who knows Winthrop as well as he does.

We know we join with all Winthrop residents in wishing our new chief the best of luck in his new post. As the head of a 30-man department, his is not an easy job, but we know he will enjoy the support of his colleagues and the residents of the community.