ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Michael A. Magerary, with his wife, Lisa, is sworn in as Lynn Police Chief.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — As family, friends and fellow police officers looked on, Deputy Chief Michael Mageary was sworn in as the city’s top cop Tuesday.
The mayor’s office was packed for the 10-minute ceremony as the 54-year-old chief, who has been on the force since 1986, was administered the oath by City Clerk Janet Rowe.
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy was all smiles as she hugged and congratulated the city’s newest chief.
“There’s no better person, coach, or police officer that you could ask for the city of Lynn than to have Mike as our new chief,” she said.
Following thunderous applause, Mageary thanked the mayor, Deputy Chief Leonard Desmarais, his parents, Skip and Arlene, for the example they set, his “wonderful” wife Lisa and their children Jennifer and Brendan for the sacrifices they’ve made. He also commended the men and women of the Lynn Police Department.
“I’ve always been proud to be a cop, but more importantly I’ve been proud to be a Lynn cop and it’s because of the work that you do every day,” he told the crowd of officers. “I know it’s a very difficult job and I hoping that together that we can make your job safer and less difficult. I will do the best I can and I ask for your help.”
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Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger, the former chief, said Mageary is the right person for the job.
“The city will be in very good hands with Chief Mageary,” he said. “He came up through the ranks and worked with me for several years as deputy chief. He’s very reliable, very trustworthy and very smart. He has what it takes.”
Earlier this year, MMA Consulting Group Inc., a Plymouth-based company, chose Mageary over three others following an Assessment Center comprised of an expert panel that interviewed the candidates, asked their responses to real-life situations, graded them and recommended the top candidate to the mayor.
“Honestly, I never expected to get this far,” Mageary told The Item following the event. “It wasn’t a goal, it just kind of happened.”
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].