After forty-three years in Law Enforcement, Lawrence Police Chief John J. Romero will officially retire on September 3, 2013. Chief Romero started in the City of Lawrence on January 15, 1999 as city’s first Hispanic Police Chief.
Prior to becoming Lawrence’s Chief, Romero served twenty-eight years with the New York City Police Department, rising through the ranks, becoming Deputy Inspector of the 34th Precinct.
“It is with a heavy heart that I accept this announcement today by Chief Romero, a man who has dedicated his entire life to Law Enforcement. A press release, a sound bite or even a press conference will not do justice in highlighting his accomplishments, his professionalism and his leadership over the years,” stated Mayor William Lantigua. “John will truly be missed, our department will have an immediate void going forward, but I know his work ethic and leadership style will live on at 90 Lowell Street as he has personally trained many of the fine officers that wear our Lawrence uniform today,” further stated Lantigua.
“I had a great career in the City of Lawrence. When I came here I never thought I would be here for 15 years; however I fell in love with the City and its people. I bought a home, I joined a neighborhood association and I made hundreds of friends along the way,” stated Chief Romero. “I feel very comfortable announcing my retirement at this time as I see the city heading in the right direction and I feel it’s ready for the future. I hope to be remembered as a Chief that developed leadership among the ranks and equipped the department with the tools and expertise needed to reach the next level of innovative policing,” further explained Romero.
Upon arriving in the City of Lawrence in 1999, Romero’s success stories are many. He immediately reorganized the-department, including expanding Community Policing, implemented crime analysis, and created specialized units such as internal affairs, domestic violence, special operations, information technology, burglary apprehension team, gang unit, and a Home Land Defense unit to prepare the city of emerging threats. In 2003, Romero gained national attention when he established the Insurance Fraud Task Force in effort to end an “underground culture” manipulated by lawyers, chiropractors and those who were staging phony car accidents. As a result of this herculean effort; over 400 individuals were charged with fraud by 2009, a total of $15.5 million reduction in auto insurance premiums for Lawrence policy holder from
2004 through 2007. By 2007, serious crime had been reduced city-wide by 60%, the lowest crime rate in forty years and by 2008 the. number of stolen cars reached a 38-year low and went on the decline for nine consecutive years thereafter.
Over the years, Chief Romero has been recognized and honored by many professional organizations and community groups which include but are not limited to the following: Cambridge College Community Service Award, IACP award of Innovation in reducing auto theft, “Chief of the Year” by the Major City Chief’s in Massachusetts, Award for curbing Insurance fraud by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts, Leadership Excellence by the Latin Pride National Awards, and the Innovations in Government Award from the Ash Institute by the JFK School of Government, Harvard University. In the coming days, Mayor Lantigua will announce a succession plan to fill Chief Romero’s shoes in the Lawrence Police Department. “I have to find a leader with some really big shoes to fill our Chief’s spot”, quipped Mayor Lantigua, “however Chief Romero has offered to assist in this transition and he will surely be called upon for advice,” ended Lantigua.