Next month, the Methuen Police Department will see the exit of both Chief Scott J. McNamara and Deputy Chief Randy Haggar.
A press release issued June 25 noted that McNamara will retire Aug. 24, “reaching full retirement age and qualifying for a full pension after nearly five years of dedicated leadership. … During his tenure, he and Mayor (DJ) Beauregard have forged a strong, collaborative partnership dedicated to modernizing the department, enhancing public safety, improving officer wellness, and strengthening community trust.”
“It has been the honor of my life to lead the dedicated men and women of the Methuen Police Department, both our sworn officers and our outstanding professional staff,” McNamara said in the statement. “I am deeply grateful to the citizens of Methuen for entrusting me with this role and for their continued support and partnership throughout my tenure.”
McNamara – a former longtime Lawrence police officer and union president – was strongly supported by late Mayor Neil Perry, who was determined to restore trust between the department and residents following the departure of former Chief Joe Solomon. Solomon was indicted after an Attorney General’s Office and Essex County District Attorney’s Office investigation determined he had misused his authority for his own benefit.
“Chief McNamara is leaving the Methuen Police Department stronger than he found it,” Beauregard said in the statement. “He led the department through a period of significant change, helped guide it beyond one of the most challenging chapters in its history, and championed reforms that modernized the organization and strengthened public trust. The department’s accreditation and recent reaccreditation are lasting testaments to his leadership and commitment to professional policing. I am grateful for his service to the City of Methuen and wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.”
Also in August, second in command Deputy Chief Haggar will end his 33-year career with the Methuen Police Department.
Haggar, 56, joined MPD in 1994. He told MethuenLife that his contract expires in August and he had the choice of returning to captain status.
“I’ve had a great career, and the time is right,” said Haggar, who served under five chiefs. “If (the city) came to me and asked if I could fill in (as chief) during their search, I might be interested in talking about that.”
Haggar said his most noteworthy accomplishment was acting as a liaison between families who lost relatives in vehicle crashes — a result of his own 17-year-old nephew Danny dying in a 1999 crash.
“At the time I was a young patrolman, but I felt I couldn’t do enough (to protect) my family,” said Haggar. “As I responded to and investigated car accidents, I saw a need to bridge the relationship with people who had family injured or died. I tried to go out of my way to help these victims … I think that’s where I did the most good.”
Haggar said he will stay on as a special officer — available for road details, parades and other city functions.
Under McNamara’s leadership following an audit, the department addressed recommended reforms including “strengthened frontline supervision” by adding four sergeants, a 24/7 patrol supervisor and at least two 24/7 bilingual dispatchers to the structure; expanding its gender and racial diversity; and “prioritized both formal programs and informal, officer-initiated citizen engagement.”
“The department has responsibly grown from 90 to 102 budgeted positions,” the press release stated. “The Department has also fully eliminated the use of part-time and intermittent officers.”
Mayor: Search for next chief begins now
Following the announcement that Chief Scott J. McNamara will retire effective Aug. 24, Mayor D.J. Beauregard announced that the city will immediately begin the process of selecting the next chief of police.
He said the city will conduct a comprehensive search to identify a leader who will build upon McNamara’s progress and continue the department’s commitment to public safety, professionalism, accountability and community engagement.
“Chief McNamara is leaving big shoes to fill, and the city owes him a tremendous debt of gratitude for his leadership and service,” said Beauregard. “Because Chief McNamara provided the city with ample notice of his retirement, we have the opportunity to conduct a thorough and deliberate search for the department’s next leader.”
To ensure a thoughtful, professional and transparent selection process, the city will engage a professional search firm and establish a search committee to assist in recruiting, evaluating and recommending the most qualified candidates. The position will be open to qualified internal and external candidates who are POST-certified or eligible for POST certification in Massachusetts. Additional information regarding position requirements, application procedures, search committee membership and timelines will be released as the search process moves forward.
“The men and women of the Methuen Police Department serve our community with distinction every day,” said Beauregard. “I am committed to selecting a chief who will support our officers, strengthen public trust, maintain the department’s accredited status, embrace innovation and continue moving the department forward. Our goal is straightforward: to identify the individual best prepared to lead this outstanding department into its next chapter while building upon the professionalism, integrity and community trust that have become hallmarks of the Methuen Police Department.”
