Dighton Police Chief saga concludes with acting chief sworn in

DIGHTON, Mass. (WLNE) — After a long, uphill battle and pushback from some selectmen, the Dighton Police Department finally has a new chief.

George Nichols was sworn in Wednesday night after working 20 years for the department.

“Dighton Local 306, all the neighboring communities that are here tonight, and especially the townspeople, thank you so much,” Nichols said.

The ceremony was no forgone conclusion, coming after the board of selectmen originally named only one finalist for the chief job, a Fairhaven sergeant.

But the police union and residents fought tirelessly for Nichols to be chief, and the board eventually voted to appoint him.

“It’s a weight lifted off our shoulders now,” said Det. Ryan Richards, Dighton. “We can move forward and keep giving back to the town like we’ve been.”

Nichols had been serving as acting chief for the last eight months and has been with the department for 20 years.

“I’m truly honored. I’m lost for words,” Nichols said. “It’s something I’ve been waiting for a long time and it’s here, and I can’t be more proud of myself and these men and women of the department who have supported me for the entire process.”

Now that he’s officially chief, signing a three-year contract with the town, Nichols has a few priorities he wants to focus on.

“Getting the command staff in place, retention obviously, trying to get replacements,” Nichols said. “Then just focusing on the needs of the officers, what their needs are.”

The officers who work under Nichols said they’ve been looking forward to Wednesday night for months.

“We’re ecstatic. The right thing was done,” said Sgt. Nick Barros. “We’re looking forward to him moving the department forward like he has been for the last eight months. He’s the right guy, so we’re just glad this is what happened. It was long but we got here.”

Dighton’s former police chief resigned after being charged in an insider trading case last year.