McNamara Appointed Methuen Police Chief

Lawrence Police Captain Scott McNamara has been selected as the next police chief, Mayor Neil Perry announced last week.

A veteran of the Lawrence Police Department, McNamara said he is looking forward to the “unique and wonderful opportunity” to serve as chief in the neighboring community.

McNamara is a 25-year-plus veteran of the Lawrence department and a native of that city, graduating from Lawrence High School in 1988. He will officially take the helm after the city council approves the appointment at its meeting later this month.

McNamara said he intends to spend his first days on the job having face-to-face discussions with the sworn officers and civilian employees of the department.

“I want to share what I expect of them, but I also want to hear their expectations of me,” he said, and to “gain a mutual trust.”

McNamara lives in Dracut with his wife of 22 years and their two teenage daughters.

He received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Salem State University and his master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. He has spent 20 years as a superior officer on the Lawrence Police department and received the Superior Officer of the Year award as well as the Life Saving with Valor award.

McNamara replaces embattled former chief Joseph Solomon, who retired earlier this year after being placed on administrative leave.

“I recognize this is an important moment in time for the City of Methuen, a time to put the past behind us and focus our collective efforts on the promise of the future,” McNamara said in a statement.