Norfolk County Sheriff Elected VP of MA Sheriffs' Association

Thanks to the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

BOSTON-- Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi and Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott have been elected by their fellow Sheriffs to serve, respectively, as President and Vice President of the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association (MSA). And as part of new bylaws recently passed by the MSA, Dukes County Sheriff Robert Ogden will serve as the first Associate Vice President of the MSA.

Norfolk County Sheriff McDermott said he is looking forward to advocating for the good work being done in corrections in his role as vice president.

“I am honored to have the confidence of my fellow Sheriffs as the incoming Vice President. The Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association serves an important role in promoting and enhancing the work of our correctional community. The consistent excellence of that work is a testament to the quality, character, and commitment of the Sheriffs of Massachusetts.” said Sheriff McDermott. “I look forward to continue working alongside these dedicated public servants, our Legislature, the Judiciary and the Governor’s executive offices to build a collaborative partnership which meets the public safety needs of the Commonwealth and elevates the services provided to those in our custody and care.”

Established 35 years ago, the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association is comprised of the 14 duly- elected county sheriffs serving across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In their official MSA roles, Sheriff Cocchi, Sheriff McDermott and Sheriff Ogden will work in concert with the MSA body and its strategic partners to better educate and inform their collective constituency about the work that the sheriffs are doing to advance and enhance programs and services that address behavioral health and substance use, women’s programming, reentry services, LGBTQI-specific programming, and a host of others.

“The Sheriff’s Offices are on the forefront of helping with substance use disorder and mental health issues that lead so many into the criminal justice system,” said Sheriff Cocchi. “Together, we can work to expand best practices across Massachusetts and evolve the Office of Sheriff to best serve the residents while addressing unmet needs in our communities.”