LYNN — Deputy Chief of Police Leonard Desmarais retired last week after 34 years of service to the department.
During his career, Desmarais received numerous awards and created the Behavioral Health Unit at the department in 2013 after seeing residents struggle with mental illness and substance-abuse issues in the city.
Desmarais created the criminal justice mental health group after discussions with the Department of Mental Health about getting funding for a jail diversion clinician to work out of the department.
This group included providers in the mental health, substance use, and criminal justice community in Lynn coming together monthly to strategize over individuals whose mental health conditions or substance abuse disorder was the underlying cause of their interaction with the criminal justice system.
Nearly 10 years later, this group has grown into a Behavioral Health Unit that includes a full-time jail diversion clinician, a substance abuse clinician, a case manager and a recovery coach.
Desmarais, a Marine Corps veteran, also raised money for the New England Center and Home for Veterans when he ran the Marine Corp Marathon virtually in 2020 after the annual marathon in Washington D.C. was canceled due to COVID-19.
During his final roll call on Wednesday, Desmarais was joined by Police Chief Christopher Reddy, former chiefs Michael Mageary and Kevin Coppinger, Mayor Jared Nicholson and former Mayor Thomas McGee, and many current and past coworkers.
Desmarais was also joined by his two sons Sam and Mike — Mike is a third-generation police officer in Salem, as Desmarais’ father was an officer in Lynn for more than 30 years.
“Being there for his last roll call, having his sons there, you can tell was bittersweet,” McGee said. “He had such a presence in the department and, just as important, in the community, becoming acting chief during one of the most challenging times.”
Desmarais became acting chief of the department in the summer of 2020 after Mageary retired.
“He took over with such grace and experience, and did the same, great kind of job he’s done as a patrolman and while working his way up to deputy chief,” McGee said. “Being deputy chief and acting chief out on the streets doing walking patrols and being out in the community showed he was committed to the quality and integrity of his service, which is reflective of who he is.”
Reddy presented Desmarais with a case containing a clock and a plaque to recognize his time and work with the department and Nicholson gave him a citation from the city to thank him for his years of service.
“Deputy Chief Desmarais set a powerful example for the Lynn Police Department through his devotion to community and innovation in leadership,” Nicholson said. “His ability to forge strong relationships in the community and vision to tackle difficult but important issues will be greatly missed, and I wish him the very best for a well-deserved retirement.”
Reddy said Desmarais has been an excellent leader and has done a tremendous job.
“We’re going to feel that loss,” Reddy said. “Everything is in good shape moving forward, because he left it that way, but certainly when you have someone who has led the charge for more than 10 years, you do experience that loss.”
With Desmarais retiring, Reddy said the department is losing veteran leadership.
“He’s led on issues from our response to mental health, response to substance-abuse disorder and harm reduction, and overall managing the operational side,” Reddy said. “He has been a really significant leader and I think he’s done an outstanding job.”
Reflecting on his time as a Lynn police officer, Desmarais said he is better for the events he was involved in and the people he met over the past 34 years, none of which would have happened if he hadn’t been fortunate enough to be an officer.
“The positive events and good people so outweigh the negative,” Desmarais said. “When things are difficult, you need to keep your head up and keep moving forward and when times are good, I try to be appreciative. Balance, though so tough to attain, is very important.”
