ACTON — Town Manager John Mangiaratti is pleased to share that the Acton Police Department’s Interim Chief Douglas Sturniolo has officially been appointed as Chief.
Chief Sturniolo began his career with Acton Police in 2000 and served as a Patrol Officer for 12 years before being promoted to Sergeant. As a Sergeant, Sturniolo worked as a patrol supervisor for two years and also served as a field training supervisor and Domestic Violence Services Network liaison.
Chief Sturniolo was promoted to Lieutenant in 2014 and served as a Patrol Division Commander.
In 2017, Sturniolo was assigned to the Special Services Division as a Detective Lieutenant overseeing Criminal Investigations, Court Prosecution, Property and Evidence Control, Youth and Family Services, the Traffic Unit, Community Relations, Dispatch Communications and Accreditation.
In 2023, he was promoted to Deputy Chief, a position in which he oversaw daily operations, training, internal affairs, professional standards, and POST compliance. He has also assisted with budget preparation and fiscal oversight.
As a Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission Assessor and Accreditation Manager, Chief Sturniolo and a dedicated department team led the agency’s commitment to operational excellence, ensuring the success of the accreditation process. Through this collective effort, the Acton Police Department secured initial certification in 2019, full accreditation in 2021, and successfully achieved reaccreditation in 2024.
Sturniolo served as Interim Chief beginning in March 2026, taking over following Chief James Cogan’s retirement.
“It is a profound honor to be officially named Chief of the Acton Police Department,” said Chief Sturniolo. “I want to thank Town Manager John Mangiaratti for his continued confidence and support as we enter this new chapter. Having dedicated over 25 years to this department, I know firsthand the professionalism, integrity, and hard work of the officers, dispatchers, and support staff who serve Acton every day.”
“Moving forward, my priority is to build upon our strong foundation by strengthening community trust, embracing modern policing strategies, and ensuring our department has the resources and leadership they need to keep Acton safe. I am incredibly proud to lead this department, and this opportunity would not have been possible without the constant support of my family and the incredible staff I serve alongside.”
Chief Sturniolo has a passion for health and wellness and is certified by the Massachusetts Police Training Council (MPTC) as the department’s Fitness & Agility Test Coordinator. He is also a member of the First Responder Wellness Working Group for the Town of Acton.
He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Anna Maria College, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England College, and a certificate in Local Government Leadership Management from Suffolk University. Chief Sturniolo has also completed numerous leadership trainings, including the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy, MPI Executive Development, and the Police Chief Command Leadership Academy at Endicott College. He is also a 2025 graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy.
“Chief Sturniolo has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Acton community throughout his career, along with the leadership, professionalism, and vision needed to guide the department forward,” said Town Manager Mangiaratti. “His experience as Interim Chief, combined with his dedication to officer wellness, training, and community engagement, makes him exceptionally well-suited to serve as Acton’s new Chief of Police.”
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