Overview
- The board voted 4-0 on Tuesday to appoint Daniels, making the decision unanimous.
- His appointment depends on finalizing a contract, with Interim Chief Joseph Perkins staying on until then and officials aiming for a February swearing-in.
- Daniels leads the Oxford Police Department, has 26 years in law enforcement, and previously served in Westborough overseeing internal affairs, communications, and public information.
- He will be the first permanent chief since Helena Rafferty retired in June after a five-and-a-half-month search that prompted thanks from town officials to residents for their patience.
- The department has faced scrutiny over the 2022 death of Boston officer John O’Keefe; an independent audit found no corruption or tampering but criticized evidence handling, and finalist Lt. Charles Rae testified in Karen Read’s retrial.