Retiring Lynn Chief Suslak looking back and forward

LYNN – Police Chief John Suslak brings the curtain down this week on a 31-year law enforcement career full of fond memories, frustrations and praise for the man who promoted him.”I talked to Pat McManus two weeks ago. It’s a terrible loss,” Suslak said Tuesday as he prepared to lead a Police Department review in tribute to McManus, who died at home last Friday. McManus will be buried this morning from St. Pius Church.July 24 is the official last day on the job for Suslak, 56, but the chief said his final day in office will be July 17.”My final gift to the department is a week without me,” he quipped.Suslak joined the police force in 1978, working the 1 a.m.-to-9 a.m. shift and logging time in court after his shift before going home to play with his infant son, Jack, then hit the law books before attending classes. Somewhere in that schedule he grabbed a few hours of sleep.The long hours and the attention he focused on training during his career paid off: Suslak earned sergeant stripes in 1985, a lieutenant’s bar in 1987 and held that rank in 1993 when McManus choose him to fill a deputy chief’s vacancy.After eight year as chief, he said he is leaving the job with “top notch” officers ready to continue leading the department. He has no immediate plans except enjoying more time with his wife, Claire, Jack, and daughter, Angela.”It’s an opportunity for me and for other people. Organizationally, it’s good for the department,” he said during an interview with The Daily Item.Suslak leaves a department facing money problems as a result of state and municipal spending cuts. The Lynn Police fielded 195 officers when Suslak became deputy chief. Today, its ranks total 177 and the chief says a city of 90,000 should have 225 officers on the streets.He would like to see some of the billions of dollars in federal stimulus money trickle down to police departments but he said assistance from the State Police, Essex Sheriff and federal agencies help the city combat violent gangs and heroin use.The city’s drug problem is an enduring source of frustration and sadness for Suslak.”In 1978, a heroin arrest was almost unheard of; now it’s almost a daily event. You look back at the number of people who have died, it’s a tragic loss of human potential,” he said.He would like to see illegal drug use and its human toll made a much more public topic.”I’m amazed there is not more outrage. What really worries me is it’s almost become normalized,” he said.He said the Police Department does its best to train officers but said talented people are shunning jobs in law enforcement.”The starting pay for a Lynn police officer is just under $40,000. When you say, ‘Do I want to do this and put myself at risk?’ The answer is no.”Over the course of four decades, he has told himself at the end of some workdays, “I don’t ever want to do those eight hours again.””But sometimes people come up and remind you of something you did and you say, ‘OK.'”He also said it has been a pleasure to serve the people of Lynn.”It’s just an amazing community,” he said. “There are so many wonderful people here.”Suslak admits patience has not always been his strong suit but it is easy for him to pinpoint his smartest move, professionally and personally.”Marrying my wife was the best command decision I ever made.”