Canton Police Chief Rafferty Retiring June 30, 2025

Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty has announced she will retire on June 30, 2025, marking the end of her three-year tenure as chief. Rafferty, Canton's first female police chief and a department member since 1989, led during controversies including the Karen Read murder case and an incident in which she struck a pedestrian. Her leadership faced scrutiny after an audit critiqued the initial investigation into Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe's death but found no evidence of a conspiracy. The town will appoint an interim chief and begin a nationwide search for her successor to ensure a smooth transition. Town officials have credited Rafferty as a trailblazer despite the challenges faced during her administration. (Note: Information about Dixon, Illinois Police Chief Steve Howell's retirement is unrelated to Canton and has been omitted from this summary.)