State Police Lt. Colonel John Mawn Jr. was promoted to interim colonel by Gov. Maura Healey while the search continues for a new leader.
Mawn replaces Colonel Christopher Mason, who retired Friday after a 40-year career in law enforcement.
The appointment is effective immediately, Healey’s office said in a Friday statement.
“Lieutenant Colonel Mawn is an accomplished leader with 30 years of experience at the Massachusetts State Police,” Healey said in a statement. “We are grateful for his public service and know he has the commitment and skills to provide steady leadership during this transition period.”
Prior to his new role, Mawn was commander of the Division of Investigative Services, which investigates homicides, crimes against children, narcotics offenses, cybercrime and organized crime.
This division, which includes more than 400 members across 24 units, provides dedicated service to the commonwealth’s 11 district attorney offices, the Office of the Attorney General and the State Fire Marshal’s fire investigation team.
Mawn is credited with overseeing the launch of several new training programs “to enhance investigations, increase police accountability and implement new strategies to advance neighborhood safety,” during his time as division commander.
During his leadership tenure, the investigative division achieved a 97% homicide solve rate and created the State Police’s first division diversity officer, a position that became a model for a department-wide diversity officer, Healey’s office said.
“I look forward to building upon the department’s steadfast efforts to enhance public safety, implement reforms that foster public trust and adopt innovations that strengthen our ability to provide the highest levels of policing services to residents and visitors across the commonwealth,” Mawn said in a statement.
Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy said Mawn’s status as a veteran member of the State Police who made meaningful contributions to the department “has earned the respect of his colleagues.”
“I know that his work ethic, expertise and leadership skills will steadily guide the department forward while the process to identify a permanent successor is underway,” Reidy said.
Mawn, a former U.S. Marine, served in the Gulf War and Kuwait and spent six years as a Harwich Municipal Police officer before joining the State Police in 1993.
He was later promoted from the rank of trooper to sergeant, lieutenant, detective lieutenant, captain and attained a major rank as deputy division commander of investigative services.
“Colonel Mawn is a man known for his commitment and service, not only as a member of the State Police, but also a military veteran,” said Patrick McNamara, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts. “I am glad to have a fellow veteran leading our department.
“Governor Healey found a great leader within our ranks that holds the integrity and moral character to lead our department into continued success.”
Healey’s office said her administration is finalizing plans to establish a comprehensive search process to identify and review prospective candidates for a permanent State Police colonel.
