The new commander will demand State Police to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. Watch video
WESTFIELD - Urban crime will be the priority focus of state police under the leadership of new superintendent Col. Timothy P. Alben.
Citing recent killings in Boston and Springfield, Alben said the Massachusetts State Police will devote time and resources towards urban crime.
But, the Holyoke native and East Longmeadow resident, said, "We will not arrest our way out of this. It needs expanded partnership with communities," citing on-going efforts by Springfield's Northend Community Council and State Police.
Alben, a 30-year state police veteran, was officially sworn in as the state's top trooper, by Gov. Deval L. Patrick at Westfield State University Thursday. The governor called Alben "a fabulous new colonel and an example to the young people who join State Police and to everyone else."
Referring back to urban crime, Alben said "30 years ago firearms seizures during arrests were rare. But, in 2011 there were 162 arrests by state police that involved guns and in just eight months this year 117 state police arrests have involved guns. This is now an everyday occurrence."
With Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni in attendance, Alben said the C-3 Police Initiative in place in Springfield was a "test bed" for the state police and said more partnerships with community leaders across the state are needed. That group consists of State Police working with community volunteers and organizations to thwart crime.
He said he will demand that his staff "become critical thinkers and problem solvers."
Alben will also devote his attention to new technology and replacement of the department's records system "that will serve this department for the next 20 years." Another priority in Alben's administration will be additional education and professional development for middle management personnel.
About 200 colleagues, family members and state and community leaders attended Thursday's ceremony, the formal swearing it that followed Alben's initial appointment July 13. Attendance included the last three superintendents, Thomas Foley, Mark Delaney and Marian McGovern, who he succeeds. U.S. Marshal John Gibbons and Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe also attended.
Alben's wife Maryann and his three grown children Jennifer, Caitlin and Timothy Jr, a corporal in the Marine Corps Reserve and his parents also attended. Caitlin cited her father's work ethic "success is the direct result of effort" while introducing him to the audience.
Alben joined the state police in 1983 Troop B in Northampton. In 1987 he became an investigator in the office of the Hampden County District Attorney. Alben was promoted to captain in 2004 and was assigned to state police Headquarters in Framingham in the Division of Field Servics and Tactical Operations. During that assignment he directed security and crowd control for the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Alben's most recent assignment was commander of the Division of Field Services.
He holds a bachelor degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University and a master's degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England University. Alben also holds a master's degree in homeland defense and security from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Natiuonal Preparednbess Leadership Initiative at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.