Canton residents voiced their priorities and hopes for their new police chief during a public forum Wednesday as the town looks to rebound from scandal and regain citizens’ trust in its police force following the Karen Read murder case.

The forum was held at Canton High School Wednesday night.

“I can’t stress enough the integrity. This guy’s got to be able to stand up and say hey everyone is accountable,” said one resident.

The town is also seeking input through online surveys and paper forms at various town offices.

Chief Helena Rafferty, who became the first woman in charge of Canton Police in 2022, retired this summer. Much of her tenure coincided with the Karen Read case, thrusting Canton into the national spotlight.

The murder case led to a lengthy audit of the department, which

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