By GAIL LOWE
MELROSE—On Wednesday, Nov. 30, former Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle hung up his uniform and began to reflect on the job he had held and loved for 36 years.
“There was no greater honor than serving the community I grew up in as a third generation Melrose resident,” he said.
Lyle thoroughly enjoyed his job in law enforcement and worked his way through the ranks, starting as a patrolman, then traffic sergeant, lieutenant and, finally, chief of police.
Along the way, he gathered many distinctions and affiliations—bachelor and master’s degrees in the science of criminal justice, FBI National Academy Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, to name a few.
“For decades, Chief Lyle helped develop the next generation of law enforcement and is leaving the Melrose Police Department better than when he started,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur. “I am grateful for his service to the City and its residents, the strong foundation of community he established during his career and his dedication to the women and men of the Melrose Police Department. I congratulate him as he enters this next chapter of his life.”
He also became a member of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and was the control chief for the last ten years, overseeing nearly 60 motorcycle officers who responded to numerous funerals and community events during his tenure.
“This was a very special bunch of ‘motor officers’ who set the bar for motorcycle training,” said Lyle.
In addition, he was co-chair with Chiefs Richard E. Smith (Wakefield) and James T. McIntyre (Stoneham) of the Massachusetts Chiefs Golf Outing, the proceeds of which go directly to the Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
“We’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help people with cancer,” he said.
Lyle also worked for many administrations in the City of Melrose over the years, two of which stand out in his mind. The first administration was that of Mayor Richard “Dick” Lyons when he was confronted with major financial challenges in the City. The Police Department did not lose any staff and Lyle will always commend Lyons for that.
The other administration that resonated with Lyle was that of Mayor James E. Milano, who swore Lyle in when he began his career in law enforcement at the Melrose Police Department.
“I will never forget the note Jim (Milano) wrote to me, and I still have it,” Lyle said. “He wrote, ‘I hope I live long enough to see you become Chief, Mike. I’m happy to see that you did.’”
Former Police Chief Lyle prepared well for the role. He was one of only three Melrose police chiefs who attended and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.—Robert T. Lloyd, session 70; Richard E. Smith, session 176 and Lyle, session 221. The Academy is recognized as the leading school for law enforcement managers.
The 10-week law enforcement management trains domestic and international students every year.
“I give a lot of credit to retired Police Chief Rick Smith,” said Lyle. “He was my field training officer, as well as the patrol supervisor I rode with on my first shift many years ago. He instilled values I still hold onto today. I consider Rick to be both friend and mentor.”
Lyle commented that over the years he found it personally gratifying and rewarding to help and support victims of crime and addiction and to speak for those who could not speak for themselves.
He can recall many memories when the challenges he faced on the job were severe, but none could compare to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our officers responded to each call with professionalism and compassion, knowing that they were being potentially exposed to the coronavirus on a daily basis,” Lyle said.
Another major challenge revolved around the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn. in May 2020 at the hands of law enforcement.
“The fallout that ensued painted all law enforcement, including the members of the Melrose Police Department, with the same disdain and unfavorable perception,” Lyle commented. “It created an atmosphere of a lack of support in law enforcement nationally.”
Policing, Lyle noted, has evolved over the years and technology has played a crucial role in the management of a Police Department.
“Policing has come a long way since the advent of technology,” noted Lyle. “We’ve gone from using pen and paper to computers and enhanced law enforcement programs. Training is a significant component to law enforcement today.”
Lyle said that the City of Melrose has been fortunate to have such dedicated and highly skilled officers serving the community, including women.
“Our female officers have been invaluable. Not everyone is comfortable dealing with a male police officer,” Lyle explained. “Certainly, having female officers as part of this agency has broken barriers, and they are a welcome asset to the department and community as a whole.”
Toward that end, containing domestic violence has been an important mission at the Melrose Police Department, and Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV), a non-profit organization that supports victims of domestic violence, has been a critical arm of law enforcement.
“MAAV is a necessary and vital program serving our community today and in the future,” Lyle said. “In addition, MAAV supports the school environment with training and education on teen dating violence and bullying.”
Lyle declined to have a large retirement party held in his honor, but on Tuesday, Nov. 29 members of the Patrolmen’s Association held a luncheon at the Police Station to wish him well in his retirement.
In the New Year, on Sunday, Feb. 5 a more formal event is planned to send Lyle off into retirement. On that day, fellow public safety officers will attend along with his family, friends and fellow golfers at the Melrose Fish & Game.
Retirement will bring with it many changes for Lyle and his wife Eileen and even their two dogs Bailey and Fenway (both cavachons), but they will take each day as it comes and find ways to continue to be productive.
“I certainly plan to reflect on my over 36 years of working and serving the community I cherished for most of my adult life,” he noted. “My next chapter is just starting, and we’ll see where life takes me.”
In parting, Lyle sings the praises of all the officers and staff he is leaving behind.
“It’s a great department with highly skilled and dedicated officers at every level,” he said. “Thank you for allowing me to serve the community and citizens of Melrose as your Police Chief.”
His advice to Melrose’s new Chief of Police Kevin Faller is to embrace the community and support the men and women of this “great department” developed during his tenure.
“Last, but not least,” advised Lyle, “set goals for yourself every day.”