Medford Police Captain Retires After Long And Storied Career

MEDFORD, MA — A longtime member of the police department has called it a career after more than four decades of service, bringing to a close a career that included numerous leadership roles.

Captain Barry Clemente is retiring after 41 years with the Medford Police Department, according to the department. Clemente began his career with Medford police on Jan. 6, 1985, before rising through the ranks and earning a promotion to captain on July 16, 1999, a position he would hold for the next 27 years.

Throughout his career, Clemente served in several roles within the department, including Internal Affairs, Grant Administrator, and Administration Bureau Commander. Police officials said Clemente played an instrumental role in numerous changes and advancements within the department and helped guide it through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clemente also played a role in developing the department's Community Engagement Unit. Through that work, he visited senior housing communities across Medford to give presentations on scams, fraud prevention, and public safety. He also implemented the department's File of Life program, which helps provide emergency responders with quick access to critical medical information during emergencies.

To many residents, however, Clemente may be best known as the longtime voice behind the city's reverse 911 messages.

"Hello, this is Captain Barry Clemente with an important message…" was his familiar introduction to residents receiving the city's emergency and public safety notifications, according to police.

Clemente built relationships with coworkers throughout the police department and other city departments during his tenure, including employees at the Department of Public Works. Toward the end of his career, Clemente also had the opportunity to work alongside his son, Nick, which police said brought him great pride.

The department thanked Clemente for his decades of service to the city and wished him well in retirement.

"Captain Clemente leaves a lasting mark on our department and community," the department said. "He will be greatly missed."

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