Police Chief Thomas Griffin is celebrating 10 years as the city’s police chief, adding to his 27 years of service with the Salem Police Department.
A Salem native, Griffin said he began his career in law enforcement as a patrolman before working his way up to detective and eventually captain.
He said he entered the field of law enforcement to help people.
“I like to help people. I like to give back to the community. And this is one of the best ways you can do that,” Griffin said. “Every day you have an opportunity to help somebody out with something.”
He said he never aspired to be a police chief until the opportunity opened in Peabody and he applied for the position. He said Mayor Ted Bettencourt, the city councilors, and the residents of the city have all helped welcome him into the community over the past decade.
Over the past 10 years as a police chief, Griffin said he has learned about the importance of mental health, especially in regards to his staff’s well-being.
“From the chief’s level, that’s what you start worrying about — is your personnel,” he said.
He has been involved with setting up a Critical Incident Stress Management team to assist officers and first responders in Middlesex and Essex counties.
His favorite part of being police chief is interacting with the community, Griffin said.
“Interacting with the youth is something I look for,” he said. “I want to be accessible. I don’t know what certain people are looking for from their police department, unless I go out there and ask them.”
Moving to the Peabody Police Department was the best thing he could have done on a professional level, Griffin said.
“I have a lot of great men and women that work in this Police Department. It’s a very professional department,” he added.
