A look back at Saugus history

Police Chief Charles Thompson retired at age 67 and bought a farm on Cape Cod where he spent his final years

(Editor’s Note: This is the final in a three-part series of articles by frequent Saugus Advocate contributor Janice K. Jarosz on the town’s first police chief, Charles O. Thompson.)

By Janice K. Jarosz

Many articles about Saugus Police Chief Charles O. Thompson appeared in the newspaper throughout his career. On May 26, 1921, an article appeared with the headline “Chief Thompson Popular Officer.” This story detailed his job performance and extolled his popularity.

The last paragraph stated, “Results have amply proven the wisdom of the town fathers of their confidence in the personality and abilities of Chief Thompson. It is hoped that he may not feel compelled to ask for retirement for some time to come.”

Reading between the lines, it appeared that the town was looking to replace the chief!

Nationwide, events were happening that also had a direct bearing on the mood of the people to remove the 67-year-old chief. The first was the implementation of the Civil Service System for municipal employees. Many felt it was time to appoint public servants with more credentials than just friendship and handshakes. Another serious consequence facing law enforcement was the Prohibition Amendment, which went into effect on January 16, 1920.

Between May 21 and June 30, 1921, a new election was held with new selectmen voted in. Shortly after the election the following headline appeared on June 30, 1921: “Chief Thompson To Retire September 1st.” The article went on to say that “Chief Thompson had tendered his application to be placed upon the Retirement List to the selectmen, Monday night, after having served the town for 30 years, 26 of them as Police Chief. It was also learned that he bought a farm on Cape Cod and would spend the remainder of his days in following agricultural pursuits.”

On July 14, 1921, it was reported that Chief of Police Charles O. Thompson sold his residence in Cliftondale Square to Mr. James Reitsmer.

On July 28, 1921, the headline read “Exams for chief and captain August 24th, 1921.” The article follows:

Competitive examinations under civil service for the positions of chief and captain will be held August 24, 1921. Both Acting Chief Roland L. Mansfield, and Acting Captain John T. Stuart will take the exam. The selectmen will pick the highest candidate and intend to eliminate any chance for the cry of politics and thus continue to keep the police department out of politics.

On the pretense of calling him before the selectmen on a trumped-up dereliction, a large number of employees, town officials, and friends honored him with a retirement party and presented him with a purse of $200 in gold and $56.00 in bills. He was also allowed to keep his badge and the revolver he carried for many years. The party was held at the Tennis and Canoe Club on Central Street.

On September 22, 1921, the Saugus Herald announced that Roland L. Mansfield was appointed permanent Chief of Police. The article praised the choice as a popular one as “Mr. Mansfield was an active, aggressive police official who possessed the tact necessary for the position.

Police Chief Roland L. Mansfield filed his first report for the year ending 1921: “Police Officers: John T. Stuart, Captain; Patrolmen Frank W. Joy, James P. Sullivan, Herbert C. Berrett, Clifford E. Robie. Special Officers: Peter A. Flaherty, Willie M. Penney, Timothy J. Bannon, Frank M. Symonds, Carl F. Koch, Howard P. McAdoo, William H. Simmons, Walter W. Hanson, Henry N. Williams, John H. Newhall, Andrew C. Lynn. In closing his report, Chief Mansfield stated: “I am sure our forefathers would be amazed at the way our town has grown since 1890. With a population of over 25,000, our police department presently consists of 49 members with 2 clerks, and 2 matrons, a fleet of cruisers, unions, computerized record keeping and auxiliary police on call.”

The Saugus Police Department is certainly now a long way from a desk drawer in somebody’s desk somewhere in the Town Hall.

  Note: My great uncle Willie Penney and Chief Mansfield did not get along at all throughout Willie’s career. One day, the Chief angrily hollered an order to Willie to “white wash his entire office,” and Will complied – whitewashing the walls, ceiling, desk, chair and filing cabinets. Needless to say, that was the end of my uncle’s career as a public servant.

  Chief Thompson passed away in 1941 at 86 years of age.