Salem Police Department
Though Salem had patrolmen in the early days, city marshals and deputy sheriffs were used in the city prior to the city's incorporation in 1836. A map of the city shows the police station at 11 Front Street and a janitor of the police station was listed in 1865. The police remained on Front Street until they moved around the corner to their new headquarters on Central Street in 1914. In 1975, the department had reached the size of 91 sworn personnel.
In February of 1992, the Salem Police Department moved into its new 31,000 sq. foot modern facility on Margin Street. The 6 million dollar facility is equipped with a state of the art Crime & Photo Lab, it has a 62 seat auditorium with audio/video tape capabilities and a five-lane, computer controlled firing range. The facility was named for former police chief Robert St. Pierre who retired in 2009 after 36 years of service, 25 years of those as chief.
Police Chief Paul Tucker took over from St. Pierre in 2009, upon his retiring. Tucker has a master's degree in criminal justice as well as a law degree from Massachusetts School of Law and grew up in Salem. He has been with the Department since 1983.
In 2012, city police began fundraising, hoping to bring 2 police dogs to work to aid the police department.
In March 2015, Capt. Mary Butler was chosen to replace Paul Tucker as police chief, when he was elected state representative. After 3 decades on the force, she was the city’s first female chief and one of only a few women serving as police chiefs in Massachusetts. She retired from the force in July 2020.
In May of 2021, Salem welcomed Lucas J. Miller as Chief of Police.
See Also
Vertical File in Salem Collection - Salem Police
Salem Police Department Official Website
Salem Police Department History Website
"Police losing 'the best boss'; St. Pierre will leave legacy of being tough, fair" Salem News, July 22, 2009, p. 1
"For Salem police, Tucker era begins" Salem News, Oct. 13, 2009, p. 1
"A new era for the Salem police" Salem Gazette, Oct. 2, 2009, p. 18-20
"Salem's new police chief sworn in" Salem News, Oct. 2, 2009, p.1
"Salem names police headquarters after former chief" Salem News, May 12, 2010, p. 1
"Salem wants to add K-9s; private fundraising aims to bring 2 police dogs to city" Salem News, July, 23, 2012, p. 1
"Mary Butler chosen to lead Salem police force" Salem News, March 6, 2015, p. 1?
