Police Chief James Cogan to Retire from 42-year Career with Acton Police

ACTON — Police Chief James Cogan announces his intention to retire from a more than 42-year career with the Acton Police Department on March 27, leaving a department that has grown by leaps and bounds since he first pinned on a badge.

Chief Cogan took an oath and joined the Acton Police Department in 1984, when officers still carried billy clubs and used pen and paper to write reports.

Billy clubs gave way to pepper spray and tasers over the decades. Chief Cogan never used any of them and never fired his firearm in the course of his duties.

Instead, he relied on a more powerful tool to solve problems in Acton.

“You can de-escalate most situations using a conversation — reasoning with people — listening to people,” said Chief Cogan, as he reflected on his four-decade career of helping others.

Cogan graduated from the Massachusetts State Police Academy in Framingham in 1984 and joined Acton Police after briefly working for Maynard Police. 

Acton’s population was about 17,500 people at the time, and Acton Police employed 27 sworn officers. Today the town is home to about 25,000 residents who are protected by 43 sworn officers. 

Cogan served as a Patrol Officer from 1984 to 1988, and then as a Detective from 1988 to 1993. During this time, Cogan demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement and youth development, serving as a Youth Officer. He established the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program in the Acton Public Schools, helping to educate and support students.

Cogan was first promoted to Sergeant in 1993 and served as Patrol Sergeant until he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012. Cogan then served as Detective Lieutenant of the Special Services Division.

Cogan continued his rise through the ranks, becoming Deputy Chief in 2017 under Chief Richard Burrows. Following Chief Burrows’ retirement in December 2022, Cogan was appointed Interim Chief and officially sworn in as Chief of Police in June 2023.

Chief Cogan holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, both from Western New England College. He is also a 2016 graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy and has attended numerous professional trainings. 

Chief Cogan began his career in a time before cops had computers, but he said technology isn’t the only thing that has revolutionized policing. Significant improvements in training and professionalism have also changed the way that police do business. 

In 1984, most police officers attended a roughly 12-week police academy, and higher education degrees were only starting to become commonplace. Today, most academies are at least 22 weeks, and most police officers have degrees. 

“Here in Acton, and statewide, policing has grown to become much more professional,” Chief Cogan said. “Officers are trained at a much higher level.”

The Acton Police Department was first certified by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission in 2019 and earned full accreditation for the first time in 2021, milestones that subjected the department to intense review in hundreds of areas. 

Chief Cogan said one thing about policing hasn’t changed at all, though, and that is the ultimate purpose of police — to help others. 

“That’s what drives police officers,” Chief Cogan said. “It’s the satisfaction you receive from helping people on their bad days — sometimes on their worst days.”

The ability of police officers to help others has improved over the decades, in particular in recent years with the addition of co-responding mental health clinicians to Acton Police and other departments. The Acton Police Department completed the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s One Mind Campaign in 2019, significantly improving the department’s training and ability to provide resources to those experiencing mental health crises and substance use disorder. 

As he leaves law enforcement to spend more time with his family, Chief Cogan advises those still on the job to focus on their abilities to help others and solve problems, especially since the job can be traumatic at times. 

“If you can spend five or 10 minutes of your time, or maybe an hour, working to solve a problem for someone, you will have a great feeling if you’re able to help that person,” Chief Cogan said. “It’s so rewarding to have that as your job. Figure out how to solve people’s problems, and figure out solutions to help them get back on track.”

Town Manager John Mangiaratti noted that Chief Cogan led the department as it implemented body worn cameras, increasing transparency and accountability. Chief Cogan also provided officers with new opportunities for training, and helped the School Resource Officer program evolve in response to community concerns. He said Chief Cogan maintained an open and honest relationship with the community, and ensured that professionalism and dignity were trademarks of the department. 

“Chief Cogan was the ideal leader for the challenging times we have seen in policing over the past few years. He was always willing to answer difficult questions and do so with respect and professionalism,” Town Manager Mangiaratti said. “He has a commanding presence, but he commands with compassion and effectively communicates both internally and externally. He set the right tone as the Acton community navigated some pretty challenging social issues, questions, and concerns about policing in our country.”

Acton Select Board Chairman Dean Charter met Chief Cogan in 1984, when Charter was working as a special police officer and dispatcher for Acton Police. Chairman Charter said that, back when he was just a police dispatcher, Chief Cogan treated him with the same respect he treats him with today as chairman of the Select Board. 

“Jim’s patience, understanding, and calm demeanor were personality traits that he showed throughout his entire 42 years with Acton Police,” Chairman Charter said. “As Jim and I each advanced our careers with the Town of Acton in different directions, we had frequent and cordial interactions and we collaborated well. Jim was always happy to help a colleague, and always kept the best interests of the community, of which he and his family were integral parts, deep in his heart. I send my best wishes to Jim upon his well-deserved retirement. He is truly a credit to his family, his department, and his community.”

As he looks ahead to retirement, Chief Cogan expressed gratitude to the community and the colleagues who served alongside him.

“Acton is a great community, and it has been my great privilege to serve here for more than four decades,” Chief Cogan said. “I’m grateful to the Town, the department, and the residents for their trust and support throughout my career.”