By Michele Taranto

He has been tenacious about keeping Norwood streets and residents safe for 12 grateful years. His name is Norwood Police Chief William G. Brooks III, and when he steps down from his post the end of April, he will be sorely missed by many. Norwood Town Manager Tony Mazzucco made the retirement announcement on behalf of the Town of Norwood and the Norwood Police Department (NPD) on the town website and word spread quickly. 

A little-known fact about Chief Brooks is that his role as chief of police was not his first Norwood assignment. In 1982, he was transferred from the Westwood Police Department after five years to work patrol in Norwood. He was promoted to sergeant, then to detective sergeant, a position he held for 14 years. 

“I loved that job,” Chief Brooks said. “I was in charge of the detective squad and I think we did a lot of good work working narcotics, robberies, housebreaks.”

Chief Brooks left Norwood in 2000 to become the Wellesley Police Department deputy chief, a position he held for 12 years. He returned to Norwood in May, 2012, as Norwood’s 15th police chief and held the NPD highest title for another 12 years.

Chief Brooks was impressed with the NPD when he arrived in town, but naturally wanted to implement some procedures and improvements. Norwood residents and students witnessed a greater police presence around town and schools, from not only officers, but Chief Brooks himself.

“Although we had officers assigned to beats, the officers were not as visible as they should have been so I have been working on that my entire time here,” Chief Brooks said. “I wanted to be visible in other venues as well, particularly at schools. In many towns, when the police arrive at the school people panic because they believe something is wrong. That’s not the case in Norwood, because we are always at the schools.”

Another major impact Chief Brooks had on the town and his department is in recruiting, hiring, and promotions. 

“We’ve become an accredited agency, something for which I credit Deputy Chief Padden,” Chief Brooks said. “We changed the way we train. We no longer send officers to regional training sites, instead we have our own training staff and do all our in-service training in house.”

On the topic of foot patrol, it was not unusual to see Chief Brooks walking Norwood’s sidewalks, visiting shop and restaurant owners, or even chatting with their patrons. He made it his mission to become familiar with every aspect of Norwood’s community, and had a smile for everyone he encountered.

“What I will miss most about being police chief is the human interaction,” Chief Brooks said. “I will miss my officers. I will miss the merchants, the schools, the children, the senior center, town meeting members, just everyone here.”

Down deep, however, his role of protector is what he will miss the most.

“Honestly, I am going to miss being a cop,” Chief Brooks said. “There is just something about being a cop that makes you feel different. I have always believed that I was responsible for the safety of the people around me, regardless of whether I was on duty or off, in town or out.”

While the people of Norwood have made a great impact on Chief Brook’s life, and their welfare always the primary focus, there is another smaller group that brightened his day.

“The best part of my job is personal interaction,” Chief Brooks said. “Much of it has to do with the people I work with day to day. I enjoy going to roll call twice a day, in the morning and at 4 p.m., as the 4 to 12 shift gets ready to deploy. I also enjoy my time with the command staff every morning at our am briefing.”

Speaking of his staff, his tenor would not be complete without mentioning his very special recruit, Mustang Sally. Her position as Norwood’s first therapy dog on the NPD was initiated by Officer Geoffrey Baguma, however, her rank was approved by the Big Guy himself.

“I love Sally and I’m sure that I’ll be back to visit her from time to time,” Chief Brooks said. “She has been a very successful addition to the department and Officer Baguma has done an amazing job publicizing her and her work, and making sure that she’s making children comfortable. He recently gave me a framed photo of her I can take home with me.”

Chief Brooks considers his staff (and yes, that includes Mustang Sally) as his greatest accomplishment for more than a decade as Norwood’s police chief.

“My greatest accomplishment, and the department’s greatest strength, is our people,” Chief Brooks said. We are a people business and the way our officers and support staff treat the public is hugely important to me. I think most people in town would see our officers as friendly, polite, and service oriented.”

As Chief Brooks retires from the Norwood Police Department, he is also withdrawing from law enforcement. He hasn’t thought about his retirement schedule as he is still working on closing Norwood’s chapter of his story which he has given much consideration and reflection; for not only his welfare but the good of the town and his fellow officers.

“I’m not leaving to do anything else,” Chief Brook said. I’m leaving because I cannot do this job forever and I need to step away at a time that is best for the department. My departure right now will allow for the promotion of some very talented people who will take over what I’ve worked for. At the NPD, we have a culture of service that I am confident will continue.”

Norwood Police Chief William G. Brooks III will be sorely missed throughout Norwood. He managed to securely link the trust and respect of its residents and police force even while the country was experiencing a turmoiled time between the two sides. Chief Brooks replacement has big shoes to fill, but he has left a legacy many will remember and remi nisce for a long time.

“I’d like to say that it as been my great honor to be a police officer for 47 years,” Chief Brooks said. “And it has been a unique privilege to be Chief of Police here in Norwood. I will never forget my experiences here and I wish everyone in town all the best. Please know that as I leave, I do so with 100% confidence that the department that I leave is in very good hands and will continue to serve the residents the way they have become accustomed. I know that the officers moving up will accept their new responsibilities and perform to the high standards that exist here. My thanks and best wishes to the people of Norwood.”