Lynn’s Chief Suslak retires

LYNN – Police Chief John W. Suslak on Thursday announced plans to retire from the department, effective July 24.Suslak, 56, an attorney for the past two decades, joined the department as a patrolman on Jan. 21, 1978. He was promoted to sergeant on Feb. 23, 1985 and to lieutenant on Aug. 25, 1987. He was named deputy chief on Feb. 17, 1993 and took over the department as acting chief on Oct. 1, 2000, following the retirement of Chief John “Jack” Hollow, who served as chief for 13 years.Two weeks later, Suslak was appointed police chief by then Mayor Patrick J. McManus.The mayor had called for a police chief’s civil service examination in 1998 to set the stage for Hollow’s successor. Both Suslak and Deputy Chief Kevin Coppinger took the test. Suslak scored slightly higher.Over the past eight years, the department has undergone several major changes, the most obvious its relocation to a new headquarters at 300 Washington St. Prior to becoming chief, Suslak served as deputy chief of operations, as officer in charge of the department’s Training Unit and as the Lynn police liaison to the Lynn District Court. As a sergeant, he was a patrol supervisor.Suslak informed Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. of his intent to retire.Born and raised in Lynn, Suslak grew up on Lakeview Avenue and attended both St. Pius V Elementary School and St. John’s Preparatory before pursuing his college education. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice in 1976. In 1987, he received his Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School.Suslak continued his education and in 2001 graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Policing. In 2004, he attended the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar.Suslak is a member as well as past president of the Essex County Chiefs of Police. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs Association, and that organization’s representative on the executive board of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.The chief and his wife, Claire (Vlahos) Suslak, live in Lynn. They have a son Jack, 27, and a daughter Angela, 25.”My decision to retire was an individual one. It’s a great job and it has been a great experience,” he explained. “I’ll be taking some time off and looking at a few different things.”Suslak said it’s too early to single out the highlights of his 31-year career as a Lynn police officer. “When I look back at my whole career, I have a lot of fond memories,” he said.In a prepared statement issued Thursday, the chief said, “Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of working with so many truly amazing and dedicated individuals. People who go above and beyond, most often out of public view, to try and make this a better, and safer, city. Many of these have been my fellow officers, but they have also included a wide range of department heads and other city officials, elected officials, local business people and local residents. I would like to thank all of them for their assistance and ask for their continued support of the exceptional men and women of the Lynn Police Department.”Clancy commended Suslak for his accomplishments. “He will be sorely missed,” said the mayor. “He has been a great chief. It’s a great department and John Suslak has led it well.”Asked if he plans to call for a civil service examination, Clancy said, “There are a lot of things necessary to be an effective police chief or school superintendent. It’s not just about the numbers.”The Police Department presently has two deputy chiefs – Coppinger and Kenneth Santoro.