Mayor Arrigo Appoints Lieutenant David Callahan City of Revere’s 26th Chief of Police
June 17, 2020
Callahan Reinforces RPD’s Commitment to Partnering with the Community in Shaping the Future of the Department
Citywide Retirement Celebration for Chief James Guido Planned for June 22nd
June 17, 2020 - Mayor Brian M. Arrigo today announced the appointment of Lieutenant David Callahan as Revere’s 26th Chief of Police, effective July 1, 2020. Callahan, 51, is a Revere native, proud graduate of Revere Public Schools, and brings nearly 30 years of experience with the Department. He will replace retiring interim Chief James Guido. A community-wide celebration of Chief Guido’s commitment and contributions to the City is planned for June 22.
Lieutenant Callahan will support the ongoing work of the Revere Police Department to serve residents with the very best in modern policing, including a strong commitment to community engagement and ongoing dialogue, high quality continuing education and specialized training for officers at every level, and new strategies to achieve greater diversity in officer recruitment.
“Lieutenant Callahan’s commitment to fairness, compassion for people and ingrained respect for our city uniquely qualify him to lead this next era of the Revere Police Department. Not only does he understand our people who make Revere such a special place, his experience as an officer through the ranks has provided valuable lessons that inform his leadership and provide practical case studies for our new officers,” said Mayor Arrigo. “I’m looking forward to our work together, in partnership with community leaders and organizations, to shape the future of the department.”
A respected figure among his department colleagues for his tireless work and motivational personality, Callahan advocates community policing as an essential element of a successful municipality. He joined the Revere Police Department in 1991 after two years as a patrol officer in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, attained the rank of Lieutenant in 2003, served as Commander of the Drug Control Unit and also was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Unit from 2004 to 2012. In that role Callahan spearheaded a public corruption investigation of a fellow officer who ultimately was arrested by the FBI and charged with federal criminal violations. He also played a major role in shutting down a narcotics distribution enterprise operating out of the defunct Ocean Lodge Motel on Revere Beach Boulevard. Since 2012, Lieutenant Callahan has served as the Group Commander of the Night Patrol Division, overseeing 16 officers in addition to responding to calls.
Callahan was awarded the Massachusetts State Police Medal of Merit in 2012 for his action in response to a fatal tractor-trailer rollover on Route 1 in Saugus. Off-duty at the time, Callahan was one of the first people on the scene and called for emergency assistance while assisting four injured motor vehicle passengers and then evacuated an elderly resident whose nearby home had become engulfed in flames.
“Every Revere neighborhood deserves to be a safe place where people want to live and raise their families,” Lieutenant Callahan said. “I’m proud of the work our department has done to serve our community and grateful for the opportunity to lead the organization into the future.”
Lieutenant Callahan holds a Bachelor of Science degree Law Enforcement and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, both from Western New England University. He has completed extensive supplementary training through the FBI-LEEDA program, including certifications from the Supervisor Leadership Institute, the Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives, and the Executive Leadership Institute. In 2012 he earned a certificate from the FBI National Police Academy. He also holds a certificate in Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings from New Mexico Tech.
Callahan was raised in Revere, attended the Lincoln School, and graduated from Revere High School in 1987.