Mass. State Police Head To Retire

The head of the Massachusetts State Police is retiring, three years after he took over the force.

Col. Mark Delaney said in a statement Wednesday that the time was right to move on, though it was the most difficult decision he'd ever made.

Spokesman David Procopio said the 56-year-old Delaney also told his command staff that he'd been considering retirement for several months, but stayed on to see the department through difficult fiscal times.

Delaney, who was appointed in 2006 by former Gov. Mitt Romney, came onto the job after overseeing an upgrade to the department's crime lab. The 35-year state police veteran also directed an inquiry into the 2003 prison slaying of pedophile priest John Geoghan.

Gov. Deval Patrick will chose Delaney's successor in a process likely to take several months.