LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield has a new police captain.
Nick Secatore, a 13-year veteran of the department, is stepping up from his role as a sergeant detective.
Secatore was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to succeed former Captain Karl Johnson, who retired earlier this year.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be here and your kind words,” Secatore said after the vote. “I will continue to to serve with the integrity that is required of all Lynnfield Police officers.”
Board Chairman Chris Barrett commended Secatore for being a true Pioneer and a “proud member of the community. We certainly know the great work that (you) do behind the scenes, one of the finest of the men and women in blue for the Lynnfield Police Department.”
Secatore is a 1997 graduate of Lynnfield High School, where he was a standout Hall of Fame wrestler. A Marine Corps veteran with national-security clearance, he majored in mathematics at Merrimack College and worked as a financial analyst at Fidelity Investments.
He joined the police department in 2007 where he became a jack-of-all trades, serving as internet technology office, court prosecutor, detective supervisor, training supervisor and the town’s deputy emergency management director, among other duties.
A former Veterans Service Officer for the Town of Lynnfield (2009-2014), Secatore is a member of the Lynnfield War Memorial Committee.
Police Chief David Breen said Secatore’s duties will include functioning as the chief’s executive officer, handling grants, supervising patrols and dispatchers.
“In my absence, he will be the acting chief,” he said, adding that one of Secatore’s strongest assets is his willingness to do the behind-the-scenes things, without expectation of a return, financial or otherwise.
“He was the top scorer on the captain’s test and has been performing many tasks above his grade, not just the last six months, but well before that. Personally, I am very happy to recommend him for captain in the Lynnfield Police Department,” Breen told the selectmen.
“This is about really wanting to put in the all-stars, the ones who are willing to do whatever it takes. The Lynnfield Police Department is all about putting people of excellent quality in place, and then just letting them do their jobs without interference.”
Selectman Dick Dalton agreed with Breen, saying, “Anytime the conversation gets around to Nick, it’s always very complimentary.”
Selectman Phil Crawford said that Secatore “has been as good as everyone has said. I’ve had many chances to work with him in town and he has been fantastic.”
One of the persons most excited about Secatore’s promotion is Lynnfield/North Reading wrestling coach Craig Stone, who not only was Secatore’s gym teacher at the Summer Street Elementary School, but Secatore’s high school wrestling coach. Secatore volunteered as a coach in Lynnfield’s youth wrestling program (2000-20012) and has been an assistant coach under Stone since 2012.
“I couldn’t be happier, as ever since I have known Nick he has always demonstrated a maturity, no matter what the level, age group or activity,” he said. “He has always been capable of putting things into perspective and handling any kind of adversity. He is an outstanding person and able to relate so well to people, especially kids.”
Secatore lives in North Reading with his wife and 3-year-old daughter, and has another child on the way. He said there will be a transition period as he adjusts to his new role.
“It’s a little change from what I was doing in my investigative duties into more of an administrative role,” he said. “That’s just the hierarchy of the department, but you can also get out on the scene. I’ll have more opportunity now to help facilitate things, help people get what they need to do their jobs. We have a small department, so it’s great that everyone is close, so we work together.”
