KINGSTON, MA, November 05, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Detective Lieutenant Michael Skowyra has been recognized for his achievement in law enforcement.

Det. Lt. Skowyra has built a distinguished career in the Kingston Police Department in Massachusetts, rising steadily through the ranks. Since 2023, he has served as detective lieutenant, commanding the Special Operations Division. He directs the Criminal Investigation Bureau, consisting of a sergeant and detectives, where he oversees felony-level investigations, plainclothes detective work, search and arrest warrants, and court prosecution. The unit also serves as the department's liaison to the district attorney's office, manages the filing of criminal charges, and coordinates discovery and case information for prosecutions.

Additionally, Det. Lt. Skowyra directs the Family Services Unit, established at the beginning of 2025. The unit brings together school resource officers, the comfort dog handler, and a supervising sergeant to address behavioral health and community outreach. He manages the co-response clinician program, which deploys clinicians alongside officers to incidents involving mental health and substance use issues and partners with community organizations. The co-response clinician program serves five towns and is funded through a close partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. A vocal advocate for the department's work in behavioral health, mental health, substance use, and community outreach, he is also responsible for formalizing and leading its outreach initiatives.

Det. Lt. Skowyra's responsibilities extend to overseeing tactical training and the department's firearms and Taser instructors, serving as public information officer, and managing social media and press communications. He also supervises several other specialized functions within the department, including regional mutual aid task force assignments.

In 2026, Skowyra expanded his professional reach by becoming a consultant with Cordata Healthcare Innovations in Cincinnati, Ohio. In this role, he contributes his expertise in law enforcement operations and behavioral health collaboration to support innovative solutions in public safety.

Skowyra began his tenure with the Kingston Police Department in 2013 as a patrol officer. Over four years in this capacity, he gained foundational experience in community policing and frontline response before advancing to investigative roles. From 2017 to 2019, he served as a police detective, focusing on complex investigations and contributing to the department's case resolution efforts. From 2019 to 2023, Skowyra held the position of detective sergeant, responsible for supervising detectives and supporting investigative operations. In January 2023, he was promoted to his current rank of detective lieutenant, and his responsibilities have continued to grow as new programs have been developed. Although he has risen through the ranks and encourages diversion and deflection when appropriate, Skowyra's proactive approach to law enforcement has led him to continue holding the most arrests in the department from 2013 through today.

Before embarking on his law enforcement career, Skowyra served in the United States Army as a member of the military police. He deployed to Iraq in 2010 and 2011. This military background provided him with discipline and operational experience that have informed his approach to policing.

Active in the wider law enforcement community, Skowyra is an associate member of both the Plymouth County Police Chiefs Association and the Southeastern Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association. These affiliations reflect his commitment to professional development and regional collaboration within law enforcement.

Skowyra's academic achievements include earning a degree in criminal justice. He is pursuing additional education to further enhance his expertise. He has also completed significant non-traditional education programs, including Law Enforcement Leadership through FBI-LEEDA; Public Safety Leadership at Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts; and Leadership for the 21st Century at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is actively working toward a Public Leadership Certificate at Harvard Kennedy School.

Reflecting on his career, Skowyra attributes his success to unwavering commitment and views his work not merely as a job but as a lifestyle that demands dedication every day of the year. His family's experiences with behavioral health and recovery have shaped his perspective on law enforcement's impact on individuals and communities. As he has advanced professionally, he has taken particular care to mentor younger officers and detectives, emphasizing mental health awareness and personal growth within the profession.

Beyond the expectations of his official duties, Skowyra is regularly engaged with Plymouth County Outreach, supporting community-based initiatives addressing substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges. He has received several honors throughout his career, including a Lifesaver Award and various recognitions for relentless criminal investigative work.

In 2026, Skowyra published "Morning Roll Call: Daily Reflections for Those Who Serve." The book encourages readers, especially those in public service, to pause for reflection each day and consider their impact on others. The publication earned him recognition as a Distinguished Author by the International Impact Book Awards.

Born in Boston and raised in Kingston, Skowyra values writing, running, and reflective thought as important aspects of his personal life. He remains dedicated to developing innovative approaches within law enforcement by expanding community outreach efforts locally and statewide. Looking ahead, he intends to continue strengthening connections between police departments and their communities while aspiring to serve as chief of police in the future. For now, his focus remains on solving felony crimes, ensuring accountability within the justice system, and advancing behavioral health initiatives through collaborative outreach.

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