Lakeville man named police chief at Mass Bay Community College

LAKEVILLE -- Lakeville resident Robert Stephanian has been named chief of the MassBay Community College Police Department. 

Stephanian will lead public safety operations across MassBay’s three campuses and oversee campus police, emergency management, and all campus security initiatives. The college has campuses in Wellesley, Ashland, and Framingham

“I’m honored to serve as MassBay’s chief of police, and I look forward to working with the community to provide a safe and welcoming environment,” said Stephanian. “Collaborating with faculty, staff, and students will be key to fostering a culture of safety, trust, and mutual respect. Together, we can ensure that all members of the MassBay community feel supported as they learn, work, and grow on our campuses.”

Prior to this role, Stephanian served as captain of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, where he led a multidisciplinary team of sworn officers and civilian forensic professionals specializing in crime scene investigation, laboratory services, latent print examination, and digital forensics.

He also served as quality manager, maintaining accreditation for the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office laboratories and the laboratory’s quality management system.

In addition, Stephanian was appointed to the International Association of Chiefs of Police Communications and Technology Committee in 2023. He chairs the annual report subcommittee and serves on the committee’s artificial intelligence subcommittee.

His swearing-in ceremony was highlighted by the traditional badge pinning, which was performed by Stephanian’s wife, Katie. Dozens of law enforcement officials from county sheriff offices, municipal police departments, and university and college police departments from around southeastern Massachusetts were in attendance.

Stephanian holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and management from Bridgewater State University and a master of business administration degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Rosemont College, part of the Naval Postgraduate School’s University Agency Partnership Initiative.