Gov. Deval Patrick has appointed Marian J. McGovern as the next superintendent and colonel of the Massachusetts State Police.
McGovern has been a member of the state police since 1979, with duties including leading the detective unit assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s office. She has been deputy superintendent since January.
McGovern will be the first woman in Massachusetts history to hold the position.
She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Framingham State College and a master’s in criminal justice from Westfield State College.
McGovern replaces Mark Delaney, who announced his retirement in September.
