Milton selectmen approve successor to deputy police chief Paris

By Dave Eisenstadter, Town Correspondent

Milton selectmen approved a motion to replace retiring Deputy Police Chief Charles Paris with Lieutenant John E. King.

“Personall, this is a sad moment for me because we’ve worked our whole careers together,” Milton Police Chief Richard Wells told selectmen Thursday, adding that Paris had worked for the department for 30 years. “He has a great temperament and is even- keeled.”

Paris will retire as of June 30, said Wells, who recommended that take the role of acting deputy chief starting on April 1. King would shadow Paris through the spring, taking the position permanently on July 1, Wells said.

Selectman Denis Keohane asked if this would add to the budget, but Wells said he could absorb it in his budget.

King has worked in the Milton Police Department since 1992, beginning as a cadet and working his way up to prosecution commander and night patrol shift commander, positions he has held since 2006.

King earned his Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in Boston, and was first in his class, according to Wells.

“I’m sad to see Chuckie Paris go,” said Selectman Robert Sweeney. “He’s a policeman’s policeman.”

He added that he supported Wells’s recommendation.

“I’ve known John since he was a cadet; he’s the one to fill Charlie’s shoes.”

Selectmen unanimously approved Wells’ request, making King acting deputy chief effective April 1 and deputy chief on July 1.