ATHOL – Jarrett Mouseau, a 30-year veteran of the Athol Police Department, was officially sworn in as its new chief at Town Hall on Feb. 3.
More than 100 people – including Athol Police officers, firefighters, police chiefs from neighboring towns, friends and family – gathered to see Mousseau take the oath of office from Town Clerk Nancy Burnham. The new chief had served as sergeant prior to his promotion.
Before Burnham administered the oath, Athol Selectboard Chair Rebecca Bialecki told the audience and fellow board members “were thrilled to hire Jarrett Mousseau,” citing his growing up in Athol and being from within the ranks of the town’s Police Department. “I think he was a perfect choice.”
Burnham said, “I’ve been honored to administer the oath of office to Jarrett…as a reserve police officer, when he became a full-time police officer, a detective, a sergeant and, tonight, as chief of police. I’ve also had the privilege of uniting Jarrett and his wife Cheryl in marriage.”
As he took the oath, Mousseau was joined by his wife Cheryl, their son Trevor and their daughter Kayden.
“I do remember as we started raising our family,” Jarrett Mousseau said. “I kept hearing this saying that it takes a village to raise a family. I understand that better now, and I can also say it takes a village to raise a police chief. It means so much to have the trust put in me by the Selectboard, (town manager) Shaun Suhoski and the selection committee.”
He also thanked his fellow officers, who flanked the new chief and Burnham as he took the oath.
Mousseau succeeds former Police Chief Craig Lundgren, who retired upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. Lundgren served in the position for six years.
