Thomas M. Hodgson was appointed Sheriff of Bristol County, May 21, 1997 by Gov. William F. Weld and was sworn in officially June 2, 1997 by then Lt. Gov. Argeo Paul Cellucci.

A former Maryland Police Lieutenant for Special Operations, Thomas Hodgson joined the staff of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office in 1994 and served as Deputy Superintendent of Investigations. He also served five years as a Councilor-at-Large on the New Bedford City Council.

Upon assuming the role of Sheriff of Bristol County, Sheriff Hodgson set out to implement his goals for corrections reform, public safety and raising the standards for the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office to enhance the primary mission of care and custody of inmates. He instituted structured disciplines for the inmate population and expanded the Work Release programs. Sheriff Hodgson gained international attention when he instituted the Tandem Work Crew (tethered), a strictly voluntary program for medium security inmates.

He banned tobacco products for staff and inmates, removed televisions and weight-lifting equipment from cells, and donated the equipment to police departments and the local Boys and Girls Club. These activities were replaced with programs affording educational opportunities, spiritual assistance and vocational aptitude. Sheriff Hodgson implemented a Regional Lock-up at the Ash Street facility for the Bristol County Police Departments in 1998.

Sheriff Hodgson also brought together a number of Law Enforcement/Public Safety agencies through the establishment of a Law Enforcement Collaborative, consisting of Bristol County Police Chiefs, State Police and UMASS Dartmouth Police, to share intelligence and resources. He established a Warrant Apprehension Unit, Drug Task Force, Gang Unit and assigned staff to the federal departments of DEA, ICE, and FBI.

He also brought together public safety officials from Local, State and Police, Fire Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), National Guard, Coast Guard, FBI, TSA, other federal agencies, EMS and hospital groups, along with stakeholders from the private sector to form the Bristol County Homeland Security Task Force.

Sheriff Hodgson sought grant funding and implemented several school and youth programs, as well as initiatives for the Senior Community. He successfully implemented twelve TRIAD programs in Bristol County (TRIAD is a collaborative for senior citizens involving the Sheriff’s Department, Police Departments and Council on Aging).

During his time as Sheriff, the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office was awarded national Accreditation from the American Correctional Association for the Dartmouth House of Correction 2004 – 2007, the Women’s Center 2005 - 2008, and again in 2007 – 2010. The Dartmouth Correctional Complex achieved compliance from the NCCHC, and the American Correctional Association in 2016, and again in 2020.