Chief Anthony T. Marag has announced his plan to retire from the Randolph Police Department in January 2027. (Photo Courtesy Randolph Police Department)
RANDOLPH — The Town of Randolph and Randolph Police Department announce that Police Chief Anthony T. Marag plans to retire in January 2027, concluding more than 30 years of service to the town he grew up in.
Chief Marag notified Town Manager Brian P. Howard and members of the Police Department of his decision in August. He will remain in his position through January and work with the Town and Department leadership to support the transition process.
Chief Marag has spent his entire law enforcement career with the Randolph Police Department. He joined the Department as a patrol officer in 1996 and became its 11th chief in April 2021.
“Serving the residents of Randolph has been the honor of a lifetime,” Chief Marag said. “I grew up here, attended school here and had the privilege of dedicating my career to the community that helped shape who I am. I am grateful for the trust and support I have received throughout my career, and I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Randolph Police Department.
“Every day, our officers are called upon to help people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. They respond to emergencies, protect those in need, comfort families in crisis and make difficult decisions under challenging circumstances. Much of what they do goes unseen and often without recognition, but their work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we serve. Their commitment extends well beyond enforcing the law. It is about treating people with dignity, showing compassion and being there when our community needs us most.
“I have always believed that the strength of this department is its people. Their dedication, professionalism and willingness to put the needs of others before their own are what make me most proud. Having the opportunity to work alongside them and ultimately lead them has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
Chief Marag served in numerous roles during his career, including as a D.A.R.E. officer, detective and member of the Youth Violence Unit. From 2004 to 2008, he served as Randolph’s first school resource officer and developed several youth outreach initiatives, including a three-on-three basketball program.
He was promoted to detective sergeant in 2008 and detective lieutenant in 2014. Before becoming chief, he served as commander of investigative services, overseeing the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Internal Affairs. He also served as the Department’s emergency management liaison and background investigations coordinator.
Chief Marag co-founded the South Shore Street Crimes Task Force in 2008 and served as the Department’s liaison to the South Shore Drug Task Force. He also served on the Randolph Police Honor Guard and the Randolph Police Community Focus Group.
His commitment to officer health and wellness included founding the Randolph Police Fitness Cup, an annual 90-day challenge through which participating officers also raised money to support charitable causes.
Chief Marag is a two-time recipient of the Robert P. Dana Distinguished Service Award. He served on the Executive Board of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (METRO-LEC) and was control chief for the peer support and officer loss support units.
“Chief Marag has devoted his entire career to the Town of Randolph, and his connection to this community has guided the way he has led the Department,” said Town Manager Howard. “He understands the people he serves because Randolph is his home. Over more than 30 years, he has earned his colleagues’ respect and built relationships throughout the community. We are grateful for his service and leadership, and we wish him and his family the very best in retirement.”
During his tenure as chief, Marag emphasized a unified approach to policing built around community partnerships, officer training and wellness, effective use of technology and outreach to Randolph’s young people.
One of his key initiatives was the development and implementation of the Community Enhancement Partnership (CEP) model, a department-wide approach to community policing founded on the belief that every officer should share responsibility for community policing, rather than assigning that responsibility solely to a specialized unit.
Under the CEP model, officers are assigned to specific districts throughout Randolph and work collaboratively with the town councilor representing their district or other community stakeholders. The initiative is designed to strengthen relationships between officers and the residents they serve, creating opportunities for community members to become familiar with their officers and feel comfortable sharing concerns, reporting issues and working together to develop solutions. By emphasizing communication, accessibility and proactive problem-solving, the model seeks to build trust, encourage community involvement and strengthen the partnership between the Police Department and the people it serves.
“I’ve always believed that community policing should not be the responsibility of just one unit or a handful of officers. It should be the responsibility of every officer in the department,” Chief Marag said. “I wanted our residents to know the officers who serve their neighborhoods, not just when they call 911, but through everyday interactions and relationships. When people know and trust their officers, they are more comfortable sharing concerns, and we can work together to solve problems before they become bigger issues. That’s what the Community Enhancement Partnership model is all about.”
Chief Marag said he approaches retirement with confidence in the Department and its future.
“Moving forward together has always been my motto,” Chief Marag said. “I leave with tremendous pride in this Department and with complete confidence that its members will continue taking care of one another and providing the high level of service our community expects.”
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