Surpitski to retire as police chief By Steve Landwehr Staff writer
IPSWICH - Police Chief Charles Surpitski is retiring effective Nov. 1, after 35 years of service to the town. Surpitski declared his intention in a letter to Town Manager Robert Markel on Thursday.
"It's a sad day for Ipswich," said lifelong resident Harry Lampropoulos. "But he deserves to enjoy his retirement."
Since the early 1990s, Surpitski has worn two hats, serving as both police chief and public safety director, with oversight of both the Police and Fire departments. Markel said Surpitski "feels strongly" that arrangement should continue with his successor.
Attempts to reach Surpitski for comment Friday were unsuccessful.
Selectman Jim Foley said he has known Surpitski since he was a boy.
"He's one of the best department heads the town has ever had," Foley said. "I think he's one of the best chiefs in the state, and he's respected statewide. I can't say enough about him."
Selectman Pat McNally said Surpitski has seen the Police Department through many changes. During his tenure, computers were added to the arsenal of police equipment, the dispatch system was overhauled, and defibrillators were deployed in cruisers.
"He brought the department into the 20th century and then the 21st century," McNally said.
McNally said Surpitski never forgot his own roots in the department.
"He always zealously represented the interests of the men and women who served with him," McNally said.
The common theme mentioned by everyone was Surpitski was always a gentleman.
"He always stayed calm and took the job as it came," McNally said. "Anytime we had a disagreement, it was always amicable."
Markel said an acting chief will be appointed to head the department after Nov. 1, although it isn't clear who that will be. It could be more than a year before a permanent replacement is sworn in, he said. Markel has the ultimate authority to hire a new chief, and he said it could be someone within the department or an outsider.
"I'm not just looking for someone who does well on a test," he said. "I'm looking for someone who can manage the department."
Lampropoulos has a point of view on the decision.
"Hopefully, they'll replace him with someone from the rank and file," he said. "Just like Charlie came up through the rank and file."
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