New Concord Police Chief Reports for Duty

Concord's new police chief has reported for duty.

Joseph O′Connor, who served as superintendent of the MBTA Transit Police Department, was named to the post last month. His first day on the job was Monday.

He replaces former chief Barry Neal, who retired last year. Sgt. Jack Kennedy was the interim chief following Neal's departure.

"Chief O'Connor brings a rich experience and proud record of service to Concord, with strengths in management and modern policing tactics," Town Manager Christopher Whelan said in a statement. "He will be a fine addition to our town, and we are very pleased to have him as our new chief of police."

O'Connor served on the MBTA police force since 1990. Before that he was a cop in Dennis and Winchester.

"Superintendent O′Connor has experience working with diverse communities and has demonstrated a strong commitment to community policing," his bio reads. "In addition to developing policing strategies to address crime and disorder, he oversees a number of initiatives to secure the nation′s fifth largest transit system from the threat of terrorism."