December 12, 2009

First woman chosen to lead Mass. State Police

By Jessica Van Sack
Boston Herald

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday tapped veteran trooper Marian McGovern to be the first female leader of the Massachusetts State Police, promoting a 30-year veteran who was among only a dozen women in the agency when she began her career.

"She has done just about every job in the state police," Patrick said of his pick yesterday. "She is very well-prepared and very well-regarded."

McGovern, 55, of Millbury, goes from second-in-command to top cop on Dec. 16, replacing Col. Mark Delaney.

McGovern said she was "on cloud nine" over the new post but also acknowledged the significant financial challenges the force faces in the coming months and years. She said, however, that she is ready to meet those challenges.

"I know and I certainly understand we have a tough road ahead of us," she said. "I think that is when leadership needs to take a stand."

Delaney recalled how there were no female troopers on the job when he began 35 years ago. Now, McGovern is among 173 women on the 2,250-trooper force.

Senate President Therese Murray praised the move.

"Like so many other superintendents before her, she worked her way up the ranks," Murray said.

During her career, McGovern has served as head of the Worcester district attorney's detective unit, deputy commander of training and, most recently, deputy superintendent.

In 2002, McGovern developed and instituted the state's Amber Alert program, which notifies the public of child abductions.

"That program is everything to me," McGovern said.