LONGMEADOW – Longmeadow’s new police chief prides himself on having a “finger on the pulse of the community,” and plans to continue working with town departments, community leaders and residents to serve the town.

Chief Robert Stocks was hired as a police officer in the Longmeadow Police Department (LMPD) in 1997 after earning a bachelor's degree in sociology from Springfield College, a master's in criminal justice from Westfield State College and returning  to Springfield College for an advanced graduate studies certificate.

The 23-year veteran of the department said of his promotion, “I always had a goal to get promoted in the agency. I'm excited to have reached this role.”

The LMPD has 25 sworn officers who serve a population of roughly 15,800. Stocks praised the members of the department.

“We have an incredible team, and they have a passion for excellence,” Stocks said, but noted with a laugh that he may be a little biased. “We got the job done, and we do it with the highest level of professionalism.”

Stocks told Reminder Publishing he was proud of Longmeadow’s status as a state–accredited law enforcement agency, a distinction that required adoption of 150 policies and requires scrutiny to be recertified every three years.

“It makes the officers better officers.”

Stocks spoke of listening to the men and women who serve in the department and said the mental health of his officers is imperative as, “we're constantly putting everyone else before us.” The chief said that it is also important to maintain “up-to-date beneficial training.”

In Stocks’s estimation, the relationship between the police and the community is the most important aspect of his job. The chief is the face of the department, he said, and being a good chief requires maintaining a positive working relationship with the community and schools.

“I’m looking forward to working with the community to come up with actual solutions to public safety,” he said.

“‘Chief Stocks is committed to giving Longmeadow the best service possible.’ I want that on my tombstone,” he said.