Cristin Lyon Becomes Watertown's First Woman Police Chief

The City of Watertown has named Captain Cristin Lyon to be its next Chief of Police, becoming the first female to lead the Watertown Police Department. The move is a big step for the department as Lyon prepares to officially take on her new role on July 31. This follows the retirement announcement of Chief Charles Donoghue who recently announced his retirement from the position.

A former captain with the Watertown Police Department, Lyon has over two decades of law enforcement experience in the department. On February 24, 2005, she was appointed as a Patrol Officer within the department, and progressed through the ranks based on experience and leadership. She was most recently promoted to the rank of Police Captain on 17 August 2024.

Cristin has held numerous operational and leadership positions during her career. During her first few years, she worked as a Police Detective for the General Crimes Division, handling numerous crimes. She would also work on complex cases that involved crimes against children, which involved working with a variety of agencies and possessing a large amount of investigative skills.

Key Highlights:

• Cristin Lyon becomes Watertown's first woman Police Chief
• 20+ Years of Service: Joined the department in 2005 and rose through the ranks
• Experienced Leader: Recognized for leadership, investigations, and community safety

After investigative assignments Lyon was moved into supervisory positions within the department. She became a Patrol Sergeant to patrol the C Platoon overnight shift and was promoted to Patrol Lieutenant and commanded the D Platoon overnight shift. She gained a wealth of patrol experience, along with emergency response and personnel management skills in these leadership roles.

Cristin has made significant contributions in training and professional development, in addition to her line-of-duty duties. She has been a Field Training Officer, instructing newly hired officers on active duty status, and a Police Academy Instructor. In addition, she was a member of the department's Special Response Team, contributing to specialized law enforcement operations.

Cristin has also played a key role in advancing professionalism in the department. She has been the Watertown Police Department's Accreditation Program Manager since 2008, guiding the department through three reassessment accreditation cycles with successful results. As a result of her work, the department remains consistent with the standards and best practices of law enforcement. She also founded and directed the department's Recruitment Program, which aided in recruiting and developing qualified police officers.

She is not only active in the police department, but also in several organizations that serve the public safety and community. As a member of the City of Watertown, Lyon has served on the Animal Cruelty Task Force, the Jefferson County Threat Assessment Advisory Group (J-TAAG), and the Mobile Crisis Council, all of which demonstrate her dedication to working together to keep our communities safe and healthy.

Throughout her service, Lyon has earned several accolades for her dedication and service. She was awarded a unit citation in 2006 for her role in helping to evacuate residents during a life-threatening fire. She was also awarded a number of commendations from the Special Response Team as well as the Fayetteville, North Carolina Police Department for her help in a major sexual abuse case.

Captain Cristin Lyon was born to be a leader in both the law enforcement and public service sectors, and her appointment marks a new beginning for the Watertown Police Department as she enters into her next chapter.