The Dighton Board of Selectmen, Chief Robert MacDonald and Town Administrator Michael Mullen are pleased to announce that Shawn Cronin has been appointed as the Dighton Police Department’s first lieutenant in over 20 years.
Lt. Cronin was appointed by the Dighton Board of Selectmen Wednesday night and will begin his new position immediately. His promotion is part of the Town of Dighton’s long-term effort to further professionalize and modernize the Dighton Police Department.
“Shawn has been an instrumental member of our department, serving as not only a leader but as a mentor within our ranks,” Chief MacDonald said. “He’s extremely well-deserving of this promotion and I am confident that he possesses and demonstrates the skill set and attributes needed to excel in this new leadership role. On behalf of the entire department, I wish to congratulate him on his new position.”
As lieutenant, Cronin will oversee policy review and composition, grant writing, the detective division, internal affairs, assist with the budget and provide support for the development of all personnel, both police and civilian. He will also continue his role as training supervisor, public information officer and hiring selection coordinator.
Lt. Cronin has served as a police officer for over 17 years, seven of which have been in a supervisory role. Lt. Cronin began his law enforcement career at the Dighton Police Department in 2003 as a reserve intermittent police officer. In 2006, he was hired as a patrolman.
In 2014, Lt. Cronin was promoted to sergeant. When he assumed this role, he took on the responsibilities of training supervisor and hiring selection coordinator. In 2018, he also assumed the role of public information officer and then court liaison in 2020.
He is the recipient of two Merit Commendations and two Life-Saving Commendations. Most recently, Lt. Cronin was presented with a Life-Saving Commendation in November 2020 for his response to a report of a person in distress at a residence in Dighton.
“I am proud to join the Board of Selectmen and the Dighton community in congratulating Lt. Cronin on his well-deserved promotion,” Town Administrator Mullen said. “Lt. Cronin is a well-respected leader, recognized not only by the men and women of the Dighton Police Department, but by all Dightonians and his colleagues in the law enforcement community. We wish him the very best as he begins this new role.”
Lt. Cronin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bridgewater State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice administration at Curry College. He is also a certified Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Academy Instructor, Field Training Officer and FBI-LEEDA member.
Outside of his career, Lt. Cronin is heavily involved in the community. He’s organized numerous community fundraisers and events including eight charity golf tournaments, the annual Stuff-a-Cruiser Drive, Halloween safety campaigns and more; volunteered on multiple town committees including serving as secretary and department liaison during the construction of the new police facility; and is a volunteer youth baseball and basketball coach.
“It’s an exciting step for me personally as well as for the development of the department and town,” Lt. Cronin said. “I look forward to beginning my new role and thank the Town of Dighton and Chief MacDonald for presenting this opportunity to me.”
###
