For Immediate Release

Friday, July 15, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Two Members of the Groton Police Department Earn Second Master’s Degrees from Norwich University

GROTON — Chief Donald Palma Jr. is pleased to announce that Deputy Chief James Cullen and Detective Rachael Mead have earned their second master’s degrees from Norwich University.

Deputy Cullen and Detective Mead graduated from the university on June 24. They traveled to Norwich’s Northfield, Vt. campus to complete academic work and attend workshops during the annual Residency Conference from June 20-24. There, they presented papers and projects, engaged in academic debate, participated in hands-on leadership activities and observed faculty presentations prior to their graduation.

Retired Brigadier General Harold W. Nelson, the former Chief of Military History for the U.S. Army, served as this year’s commencement speaker.

Detective Mead received a master’s degree in public administration. She also holds a master’s in criminal justice from Suffolk University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Detective Mead is currently the School Resource Officer and is also assigned as the Juvenile Detective. She has been a member of the Groton Police Department since 2010 and has over 10 years of law enforcement experience.

Deputy Cullen received a master’s degree in leadership. He earned a master’s degree in criminal justice administration and a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, both from Western New England College. The Deputy Chief has held his current position since August 2015 and has been a member of the Groton Police Department since September 1999. He has over 23 years of law enforcement experience.

“This is a prestigious achievement and I commend Deputy Cullen and Detective Mead for continuing their education and earning a second master’s degree,” Chief Palma said. “Their skills will be beneficial to the Groton Police Department and entire community.”

About Norwich University:

Founded in 1819, Norwich University is the first private military college in the United States and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Norwich University has two centuries of military tradition and a broad range of undergraduate degrees, along with programs for online master’s degrees and certificates.

###