Chief Nighelli began his career with the Nantucket Police Department in 2002 when he was appointed to the position of Patrolman. In 2003 he accepted a Patrolman position with the Marion Police Department. In 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and in 2018 was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. In January 2021 he was promoted to the rank of Chief of Police. Chief Nighelli received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement from Western New England University. He was a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement council SWAT team from 2004-2019 deploying to events such as the Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013. Chief Nighelli is on the executive board for Plymouth County HUB and Plymouth County Chiefs of Police Association. Chief Nighelli serves on the Advisory Board for Plymouth County Outreach and Public Safety Council for The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI). Chief Nighelli is the Emergency Management Director for the Town of Marion.