Captain David Pratt ‘96 Named New Holyoke Police Chief

In December 2020, Mayor Alex B. Morse announced that David Pratt '96 will be Holyoke’s next police chief. He is scheduled to take over when Chief Manuel Febo, Holyoke’s first Latino chief, retires on July 31, 2021. Mayor Morse said that of the three Holyoke captains, Pratt is the most prepared to become Chief. Pratt will work closely with Chief Febo as they prepare for a seamless transition.

Pratt discovered his passion for the field during a summer college trip to Cape Cod, when he worked as a temporary officer. “After that first summer, I thought, this is definitely what I want to do,” said Pratt. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Westfield State, Captain Pratt started his career at HPD in 1993.

Pratt has far-reaching experience on the Holyoke Police Department. He is the commander of operations, criminal investigations, and the school resource program. In the past, he has worked in dispatch, as a patrol officer, uniform supervisor, and with the community policing unit. He has also worked on grants, budgeting, and ensuring that PPE is available for the department.