MELROSE – The City of Melrose has announced Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle will reach mandatory retirement age this November after 15 years leading the Melrose Police department and 35 years total as a police officer in Melrose. Massachusetts State law requires police officers, firefighters and corrections officers to retire at age 65.
Lyle, a Melrose High School graduate, began his career with the City of Melrose as a Police Officer in 1986 before moving up in the ranks and serving as a Police Traffic Officer, a Police Sergeant, and a Police Lieutenant before finally serving as the head of the Melrose Police Department.
“For decades, Chief Lyle has helped to develop the next generation of law enforcement and has shown the true value of community policing,” said Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur. “I am grateful for his service to the City of Melrose and congratulate him as he enters this next chapter of his life. A more formal recognition of his commitment to Melrose and his career will follow in November.”
The City of Melrose will begin a search for a new police chief with the help of a municipal recruiting consultant, Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI), an organization with over 30 years of experience with public sector executive recruitments. MRI has previously assisted many other New England communities with recruiting and selecting executive level positions, including but not limited to:
Andover – Police Chief Recruitment
Haverhill – Police Chief Recruitment
Middleton – Police Chief Recruitment and Town Administrator Recruitment
North Andover – Police Chief Recruitment and Town Manager Recruitment
MRI will provide the City of Melrose with consulting services to actively recruit, refer, and evaluate qualified candidates for the position of police chief. Working in coordination with City staff, and with significant community input, MRI will develop an “Ideal Candidate Profile” that reflects the critical organizational needs of the Melrose Police Department and the priorities of the Melrose community.
“The early announcement gives the City the much-needed time to make the best decision for the future safety of the Melrose community,” added Brodeur. “It also gives our community members ample time and opportunity to weigh in on what they believe are the most important qualities in our next police chief.”
As required by Mayor Brodeur, MRI will gain input from community members, including but not limited to the DEI Task Force, Police Department personnel, and members of the Chamber of Commerce, among other key stakeholders. Brodeur said, “We were clear that the selected firm must have a nationwide focus and presence, and that they engage with community members during the recruitment process.”
Once initiated, the recruitment process is anticipated to take approximately 90-120 days to complete, with a target date of September 1, 2022.