James Barrett Begins in Role as New Chief of the Norfolk Police Department

James Barrett officially began serving as the Chief for the Norfolk Police Department on Monday, Sept. 1. (Photo Courtesy Norfolk Police Department)

NORFOLK — The Norfolk Police Department is pleased to announce that James Barrett has officially begun his new role as the town’s Chief of Police, effective Monday, Sept. 1.

Chief Barrett succeeds Chief Timothy Heinz, who is officially retiring on Sept. 30 after 38 years of service to the Norfolk Police Department. As of Sept. 1, Chief Heinz will remain with the department in an advisory role throughout the transition.

Chief Barrett brings more than 30 years of law enforcement and leadership experience to his new role. He most recently served as the Police Operations Lieutenant for the Holliston Police Department, where he oversaw critical operational divisions including detectives, school resource officers, court prosecution, patrol, and traffic enforcement.

He also served as the Unit Commander for the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (MetroLEC) Investigative Services Unit and Child Abduction Response Team.

Previously, Chief Barrett served with the Wrentham Police Department for nearly three decades, holding roles as Detective Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, and Patrol Officer. He began with the department in March 1995.

Over the course of his career, he has led major criminal investigations, overseen multi-agency task forces, supervised evidence management, and served as a prosecutor in the Massachusetts Trial Courts.

Before beginning his law enforcement career, Chief Barrett served for six years in the U.S. Army, starting in 1988. He was assigned to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, with which he deployed during Operation Desert Storm. For his service, he was decorated for combat action.

Chief Barrett holds a Master of Public Policy from UMass Dartmouth, a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from UMass Boston, and he was a Rappaport Public Policy Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.

He is also an adjunct professor of criminal justice and homeland security at Dean College, a certified instructor with the Massachusetts Police Training Committee, a co-founder of the Holliston Coalition Against Hate and Bias, and the owner of Relevant Leadership Consultants, through which he trains law enforcement and public safety professionals across Massachusetts.

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen to serve as Norfolk’s next Chief of Police,” Barrett said. “I look forward to getting to know and working closely with the dedicated men and women of the department, town leadership, and our community members to continue building on Norfolk’s strong tradition of public safety.”

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