LYNN — New Chief of Police Christopher P. Reddy was sworn in during a ceremony at City Hall surrounded by his family, friends and coworkers Thursday afternoon.
Reddy said he is looking forward to his new position and that he is honored to have the opportunity to lead the police department.
Reddy, a 36-year veteran on the force — most recently as a captain — said one of his goals as chief is to double down on building trust within the community, citing the department’s long history of community policing.
“I plan to engage with advocates working on behalf of marginalized groups, and will work to try to identify problems so we can then work together on solutions,” Reddy said. “I’m a big believer in communicating, listening and then working together to find common ground to promote public safety.”
Reddy said that, if there are issues regarding the department and larger community, he plans to be transparent and hold people accountable; at the same time, he emphasized the good work done by the officers he works with.
Reddy said he always wanted to do work his family and community would be proud of while making Lynn a safer and better city, and he believes he can do that as chief.
Now that he has officially been sworn in, Reddy said the important mission accompanying his new role is to allow people to raise their voices and be heard.
“That’s fundamental to our society,” he said. “We should facilitate that and embrace that where we can, but we want to do it in a way that doesn’t cause harm or destruction. We want to do it in a way that people’s views can be heard so we can then engage in a discussion and share information so that we can find common ground.”
Deputy Chief Michael Vail, who was also a candidate for chief, said he is very happy for Reddy and thinks he is going to be a great chief.
“He’s going to do a great job,” Vail said. “I’ve worked with him for 26 years and he has the right kind of character for this position and will bring a lot to the table.”
Swampscott Police Chief Ronald Madigan attended the swearing-in ceremony — along with police chiefs from Salem and Beverly — and said Reddy not only has good intentions, but also holds a great deal of experience going into the position.
“I think he’s well suited, personality wise, to be open and trusted by his community,” Madigan said. “I’m sure he can’t wait to get into that spot and implement new ideas and new initiatives.”
Former Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger — currently the sheriff of Essex County — said there were three good candidates for this position, but Reddy both has the heart for this position and “understands the soul of the city.”
“I think Chris will do very well in the community because he gets it,” Coppinger said. “He knows how to talk to people and, most importantly, he knows how to listen. When you put it all together, that’s what you want in a chief.”
Coppinger said Reddy had already established a rapport with community leaders during the protests over the past year, something Coppinger said opened doors for his future relationship with residents of the city.
“Right out the gate, he can build upon that,” Coppinger said. “If you don’t listen, they’re not buying, and that throws animosity.”
Mayor Thomas M. McGee, who selected the police chief, congratulated Reddy, and said he looks forward to working with him over the next few months.
Both McGee and Reddy thanked Deputy Chief Lenny Desmarais — who served as acting chief until Reddy was sworn in — for all of his work over the last 10 months.
McGee thanked Desmarais for filling in the role of chief of police before Reddy stepped in, making note of the large role the position plays within the community.
“With the challenges that we all face as a community, and that the department faces, the most important part is that we’re all in this together as citizens and residents of the city of Lynn,” McGee said.
