Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier was officially sworn in at city hall on Friday, marking the next chapter in a career that began decades ago in the very city he now leads.
Raised in a triple-decker on Grafton Hill, Saucier recalled sleepless nights punctuated by the sounds of crime outside— a reality that shaped his desire to become a police officer.
“It has to do with how you were brought up,” Saucier said, reflecting on his childhood. “My parents taught us morals, but they struggled. We had a close-knit family.”
A 30-year veteran of the department, Saucier was appointed chief weeks ago after serving nearly two years as interim. On Monday, he sat down with MassLive to discuss his journey, the department and the city he’s called home his entire life.
Difference between being interim chief versus chief
Saucier has been acting chief for more than 18 months after Police Chief Steven Sargent retired in August 2023.
As interim chief, he established the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit to combat gun violence, created a plan to address systemic racism after a 2024 equity audit found the Worcester Police Department disproportionately arrested Black and Latino individuals, and initiated reforms in response to a Department of Justice (DOJ) probe that uncovered excessive force, discriminatory practices, and illegal sex acts involving vulnerable women.
Despite the slight change in title, the first few days after being sworn in have not felt different from his previous role, Saucier said.
“I had to step in,” Saucier said about becoming interim chief. City Manager Eric Batista appointed Saucier to be chief on March 1, effective immediately.
Although, he’s glad the interview process is over. On his first day as chief, he said it felt less stressful.
“I like it that way, but I’ve been [interim chief] for 19 months,” he said.
Downtown Worcester streets were close to empty on Wednesday afternoon. (Tréa Lavery, MassLive)
Areas of focus as Worcester police chief
The department received 143,000 phone calls in 2024, Saucier said. Between that volume and the number of times officers had to respond to calls, it can leave a heavy impact on officers, he continued.
“Calls take a toll on the police,” he continued. “You want to make sure that officers’ mental health is taken care of. If you went to three dead body calls, we want to address that.”
Saucier also seeks to reestablish the public’s relationship with the police department. His hope is that more direct interaction at public city and police events can help repair that relationship.
“[Officers can] go talk more to people,” he suggested. “They can keep tabs of what can be done in the community to build back trust.”
Worcester Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier holds up an “eyes up” warning card that will be handed out to distracted drivers instead of tickets beginning on April 1.Adam Bass
Where the chief sees the Worcester Police Department in five to 10 years
Looking to the future, Saucier wants the department to commit to three principles: honor, integrity and professionalism.
Everything the department does should emanate from that, he said.
“You want to look professional in the uniform like the police in the [Los Angeles Police Department],” he said. “It helps with dealing with people. You want to give the impression that you know what you’re doing.”
The commanding presence that an officer’s appearance holds is “a huge thing,” but it is something “we’ve lost,” he continued. The importance of how officers present themselves is “something that officers are taught in the academy.”
His goal is to also have “the pendulum [turn] the other way and get more support and trust to do our job,” Saucier said.
This also includes increasing and improving recruitment. In 2025, the department acquired 18 recruits, an 11-person decline from the year before. There were no new recruits in 2023, while 28 people joined the department in 2022. And in 2021, 24 people were recruited.
“We are it,” he said. “When someone’s breaking down your door, you need to recruit the best to answer the call.”
Sole Proprietor in Worcester opened in 1979 on Highland Street.
Favorite Worcester restaurant
Saucier named “The Sole,” referring to The Sole Proprietor at 118 Highland St., as his favorite restaurant.
For over 40 years, The Sole Proprietor has offered seafood, including haddock, scallops, swordfish, tuna and bluefish, along with sushi and shellfish to customers. The restaurant also received the Award of Excellence from “Wine Spectator” in August 2019.
Various options on the dinner menu include rainbow maki, steamed Maine mussels, filet and lobster tail, braised short rib, bang bang shrimp and much more.
But you might find him having lunch at many different restaurants as dining across the city is a passion he shares with his son.
“My son is a student at [Worcester Polytechnic Institute],” he said. “We like to go to different restaurants every Wednesday.”
Smiley Ball, the mascot of the Worcester Red Sox, celebrated its debut on Friday in front fo Worcester City Hall.
What the chief loves most about Worcester
“It’s a big city but it’s a small town,” the Worcester native said.
When he finds himself at city events with the public, especially at events like the 43rd Worcester County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, he bumps into people he grew up with or has known throughout his life.
“Wherever you go, you know somebody,” Saucier said. “People you see. It’s a great place to grow up.”
