By Charlie McKenna
masslive.com
REVERE, Mass. — Revere appointed its interim chief to the full-time post on Monday (July 28), making her not just the first woman to serve as chief in Revere’s history but also the first female chief appointed in Suffolk County, city officials said in a statement.
Maria LaVita has served as interim chief since June 3, when former chief David Callahan retired. She was appointed by Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr and confirmed by a unanimous vote of the city council, according to the statement.
“Chief LaVita is the most qualified person to lead the Revere Police Department into the future,” Keefe said in the statement. “It was evident from the beginning of the selection process that her qualifications – including nearly 30 years on the force, 16 as a superior officer, and a Juris Doctor degree – were a cut above the rest.”
Before being appointed chief, LaVita served as commander of the Criminal Investigation Division, supervising detectives assigned to the major case unit, drug and gang unit and evidence room. In that role, she also conducted internal affairs investigations, oversaw task force officers assigned to the FBI and DEA and managed money seized during drug investigations, according to the statement.
LaVita began her career as a patrol officer in 1996, before being promoted to sergeant in 2009, lieutenant in 2017 and captain in 2021. She worked as a detective for nine years until she was assigned to lead the training division.
As chief, LaVita is expected to focus her efforts to building trust within the city through community policing and using technology to ensure the department is applying best practices, according to the statement.
“It’s an honor to serve in this role in the city that raised me,” LaVita said in the statement. “I have dedicated my career to protecting the safety and wellbeing of Revere residents. I look forward to working with every member of our department to deliver high-quality services and improve public safety with pride and integrity.”
Col. Oscar Perez Jr . — the Providence, Rhode Island police chief and a member of the interview committee that selected LaVita — praised her vision for the department and understanding of the city.
“Her vision for modern law enforcement includes a clear grasp of the role technology and data-driven initiatives play in crime prevention, accountability, and transparency,” he said in the statement.
In interviews, LaVita “articulated a deep understanding of what it means to serve a diverse, inner-city population,” Perez added.
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