New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira Announces His Retirement

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira announced today that he is retiring in just a few months.

Oliveira issued a statement in which he made the somewhat surprising announcement, considering he just signed a new contract last summer.

“After 32 years of dedicated service to the City of New Bedford’s police department, I will be retiring from my position as chief on May 3, 2025,” he wrote, noting at the end of his announcement that he “will be working closely with the administration team during this time to ensure a smooth transition, and I am excited to see continued success.”

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“As a result of his leadership, New Bedford is a safer city, and the department has a stronger command of the public’s trust,” New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said in a statement. “On behalf of the City of New Bedford, I thank him for his exemplary career in service to our residents.”

Oliveira did not give a reason for his retirement. Just last July, he had signed a new three-year contract that was intended to keep him at the helm of the NBPD through at least June 15, 2027.

This was after Oliveira had reportedly been a candidate for the police chief position in Falmouth in early 2023 following the retirement of Chief Edward Dunne, but did not make the final three.

Oliveira also received a vote of "no confidence" by the New Bedford Police Union in October 2023, with then-union president Evan Bielski said at the time the vote was "indicative of serious problems with the appointed leader of the New Bedford Police Department.”

Oliveira Did It All in His 32-Year Career

Oliveira graduated from the police academy in October of 1992, and noted in his statement his only classmates still on the job are Lt. Shane Ramos and Officer Mike Carrier. During his career, Oliveira worked as a patrol officer, narcotics detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and commander of both the internal affairs Professional Standards Division and the Narcotics Division.

Oliveira was appointed chief in June 2021 after becoming acting chief in April of that year following the retirement of former chief Joseph Cordeiro. Oliveira had previously served as Deputy Chief since 2016.

“By any objective measure, Paul Oliveira’s career as a New Bedford Police Officer has been successful,” Mayor Mitchell said. “During his 32-year tenure, he held virtually every position in the department, from patrol officer to narcotics detective to head of internal affairs, and distinguished himself in each.”

Read Chief Oliveira’s Full Statement on His Retirement

Oliveira Oversaw Reforms While Improving Recruitment

Mitchell pointed out that during Oliveira’s four-year tenure, the department, “like those of most urban departments” saw a dwindling number of officers and not enough recruits to fill those jobs, “yet he was able to drive double-digit declines in violent and property crime.”

“Not resting on these achievements, Chief Oliveira instituted a suite of reforms, including changes to the department’s organizational structure, the adoption of body-worn cameras and a commitment to data-driven decision making, that together will set up the department for further success still,” he said.

Oliveira pointed out that recruitment is also back on the rise, and thanked Officers Mark Conley and Paul Patota for their “relentless recruitment efforts.”

I am also happy to report that we have more recruits in the academy since the tumultuous times of 2020,” he said. “With another class starting soon, by the end of the summer, we will have the highest complement of officers in five years.”

READ MORE: Mayor Says New Bedford Police Department Will Have 230 Officers By Spring

Oliveira Promises Continued Support in “New Chapter”

“As I step into this new chapter, I am confident in the future of this department and in the city of New Bedford,” Oliveira said. “The support and involvement of the community, whether it be from non-profits, businesses, activists, or ordinary citizens, has been critical to the success of the police department’s work to keep our citizens safe and make New Bedford a great place to live and work.”

“Thank you for the memories, the challenges we worked through, and the many victories we have shared,” he said. “I look forward to witnessing the continued progress and growth of our community, and I remain committed to supporting our collective mission in any way I can.”