MBTA chief Carter appointed IACP president

Serghino René

Joseph Carter was an unusual child. As a student counselor in high school, the administration would rely on his ability to break up fights and his effective method of resolving student conflicts.

Little did he know that his actions would lead to a promising career in law enforcement.

“Being an officer was my calling, said Carter, now the chief of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police. “My experiences in high school helped mold that decision for me.”

Carter’s career received yet another accolade when he was recently appointed president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), a position he will hold for one year. He makes history as the first president to reside in his hometown, and is also the first transit police chief to hold the position.

He accepts his new appointment with a wealth of experience to guide him. As IACP president, he hopes to help enhance international outreach and programs, increase the number of world regional offices and make sure the voice of professional law enforcement is heard on Beacon Hill.

Cleve Killingworth, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts said he couldn’t think of anyone else better for the job.

“[Carter] is a true man of dedication and persistence,” Killingsworth said. “Just take a look at his resume. His long track record shows that he is more than capable of getting the job done.”

Last weekend, 30,000 police chiefs came to Boston for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 113th annual conference, held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The Community Resources for Justice (CRJ), an agency for criminal justice policy development, also honored Carter in recognition of his more than 15 years of service.

“The CRJ is an organization that I love being part of,” said Carter. “It gives me an opportunity to wear another hat and be a volunteer. [It’s a] labor of love.”

Carter has served as chief of police for the Transit Police Department of the MBTA since 2003. In that role, he is responsible for the overall management of 250 sworn personnel who are accountable for public safety of the MBTA’s public transportation network in 175 cities and towns.

“When I go to work each morning, I think about how to make the system safer and how to value the most important people in the MBTA — the transit police officers,” said Carter.

Prior to this position, Carter spent nearly five years as chief of the Oak Bluffs Police Department, which he defines as a unique time in his career.

“The town was personable, intimate and everyone knew everyone,” Carter said. “Although there were challenges with policing, solving crime and working with the community was more manageable than taking a citywide approach. The community had a great investment on public safety.”

His professional experience developed during his 20 years in the Boston Police Department, where he began in January 1978. He served as a patrol officer and was assigned to the Bureau of Field Services and the Community Disorders Unit (CDU). It was during that time that Carter experienced the worst of Boston.

“Bussing was an ugly time in Boston’s history, polarizing the city and its people,” Carter said.

Through his involvement with the CDU, Carter had a hand in helping get the state’s civil rights statute enacted.

He was promoted from detective to sergeant and ultimately deputy superintendent and night commander of Area B. Carter looks back on those days as years of opportunity. “That’s quite a run for a young guy,” said Carter.

Carter is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 140th Session, a 1986 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, a 1991 graduate of the ABA’s National Judicial College — Administrative Law Judge course and a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. 

Carter was also awarded a Master of Strategic studies degree from the Army War College in 2002. He holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior and management from Lesley College and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Atlanta University.