ITEM FILE PHOTO
Kevin Coppinger declares victory in the Essex County Sheriff’s race in this November 2016 file photo.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — Kevin Coppinger will start off the new year on a high note.
The Lynn police chief will be sworn in as Essex County sheriff on Wednesday night, Jan. 4 in the Lynn Auditorium. Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin will administer the oath. Richard Coppinger, the chief’s brother, will be the master of ceremonies
“I’ve invited folks from around the county to participate as well as the state delegation on Beacon Hill and mayors from the county, the governor, the lieutenant governor and the attorney general,” Coppinger said. “But everyone is welcome.”
Coppinger takes over as sheriff that day. In the meantime, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy has designated Deputy Chief Leonard Desmarais as interim chief. Interviews for the new chief will begin on Monday, Jan. 23.
The Democratic chief defeated Republican challenger Anne Manning-Martin by a margin of 51.4 to 34.5 percent. He will succeed retiring Sheriff Frank Cousins.
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Coppinger traveled with his family to Italy for 10 days after the election. They stayed in Florence and visited Venice, Rome, Pisa, Tuscany wine country and toured London on a layover.
“I got a little rest and a little normalcy,” he said. “There was no campaigning over there or police work. Since I’ve been back, I hit the ground running trying to close out my career in Lynn and transitioning into the sheriff’s department working with Sheriff Cousins’ staff and learning more about the agency.”
On Day 1, he will face an $18 million budget deficit.
“My priority is closing the gap,” he said. “I’m meeting with folks at the State House to see what can be done. I will watch the pocketbook, control costs and the last thing I want to do is lay off anyone because that becomes a safety factor.”
He declined to name any new staff.
Coppinger said his goals include strengthening skills training and improving and expanding detox, opiate and mental health counseling programs.
During the campaign he touted his skills in law enforcement, budgeting and communications and the support he received from fellow law enforcement officials nationwide.
Still, Coppinger said it hurts to leave the Lynn Police Department.
“I will miss the men and women that I’ve worked with for the last 30 years,” he said. “This is a very professional, classy organization. People here work very hard every day and under sometimes tough conditions. I am proud to be one of them. I will miss them.”
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].