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IPSWICH — After more than 32 years working in law enforcement and 17 years as Ipswich’s police chief, Paul Nikas is planning to retire at the end of the calendar year.
Nikas announced his departure in an emotional speech to the Select Board on Monday night.
Under the auspices of a routine departmental update, Nikas approached the podium at Town Hall and declared, “My time has come.”
“Serving Ipswich has been a privilege I will always cherish,” he said, his voice breaking. “Thank you for the trust you placed in me during my career. It has truly been the honor of my lifetime.”
Nikas received a standing ovation after delivering his remarks.
About Nikas
An Ipswich native, Nikas was born at the former Cable Memorial Hospital, attended school in Ipswich, and after working with the Massachusetts Trial Court and Essex County Sheriff’s Department, he returned to serve as a patrolman with the Ipswich Police Department in 1997.
He worked his way up the ranks, becoming a sergeant and shift commander in 2003, taking on the role of training director, and rising to the role of acting chief in 2009 before becoming chief permanently in 2010.
Select Chair Michael Dougherty said Nikas’ story is one that is not seen too often anymore — the story of a “local boy” rising through the ranks to serve his hometown as its chief.
Under Nikas’ leadership, the Ipswich Police Department became the first department in Massachusetts to deploy body-worn cameras and cruiser dash cameras.
The department also partnered with mental health clinicians and community organizations to help address mental health and substance use challenges during his tenure.
Selectperson Charles Surpitski, a former police chief, said Nikas exhibited “all the faith” he ever had in him as a young patrolman.
“We have a long history, and the only thing I would like to say is you did good and we’re proud of you,” Surpitski said.
Nikas credited his family, including his wife Jessica and his parents, for their unwavering support and guidance. He also said he is grateful to have worked alongside the dedicated men and women of the department who continue to make him proud every day.
“We accomplished amazing things together, and I have great confidence in the future leadership of the department,” he said.
Moving forward
Nikas said he announced his retirement early to allow the department sufficient time to find a successor.
According to Nikas, the Police Department will host an independent third-party assessment center to evaluate internal candidates from the ranks of lieutenant and sergeant.
The process, which is expected to take about four months, will result in a list of finalists for the town manager, as the appointing authority, to choose the next chief from.
Town Manager Brendan Sweeney said the fact that Nikas has thought so far ahead is “really demonstrative of how well you’ve run the department over the years.”
“I’ve only been here a short time, but even in that short time I’ve been very impressed by your leadership and the state of the Police Department,” Sweeney said.
Dougherty promised that the Town will properly recognize Nikas’ service before he departs from the role.
“As tough as it is to accept this letter, it is certainly the next chapter of yours that is well deserved,” Dougherty said. “Not only will you be very well missed but your shoes will be very, very hard to fill.”
