WILMINGTON, MA — Lt. Brian Pupa was named Wilmington’s new Deputy Chief of Police in late July and sworn in in early August.
Pupa recently took a few moments from his busy schedule to answer five quick questions from Wilmington Apple.
Congratulations on becoming Deputy Chief of Police! Can you explain what you role entails?
The Deputy Chief is the #2 in command of the Police Department. My primary function is to assist the Chief of Police in running the agency. Some of my duties include helping to oversee the command staff, overseeing external affairs, serving as the keeper of records and public information officer, assisting with the budgeting process, and overseeing policies and procedures.
I enjoy working for the Town of Wilmington. I grew up here — born and raised. Wilmington is a great community, a thriving community. I’ve had the good fortune to serve with this agency. There’s a lot of talent in this department. We’re in a transition phase where we’re getting younger. We’ll get even younger over the next five years. I look forward to helping mold this agency as we move into the future.
How has your first few months at Deputy Chief been?
It’s been a tremendous transition — trying to get everything situated. It’s a unique position, but a good opportunity in that there’s a new chief and deputy chief, with the hiring of new lieutenants to replace us and backfilling new sergeants. There’s a lot of things in motion that we’re trying to accomplish. It’s been a fun time, but we’re very busy trying to get as much accomplished as possible.
Regarding Chief Desmond, I couldn’t think of better guy to work for and with. It’s a great partnership. When I first joine the force, Chief Desmond was one of the officers I looked up to. He took me under his wing. When I first started, my first two supervisors were former Chief Begonis and former Deputy Chief Ritcher, and then they were replaced by Chief Desmond. We were worked together, hand-in-hand, as lieutenants for the last 11 years. We have a good relationship and he’s a great guy.
Can you talk about your two of the more interesting accomplishments in your resume — your law degree and your FBI training?
Back in 2010, I graduated from Mass School of Law. It was a great challenge to go to law school. It was a rewarding experience that provided me with the ability to help the department with the legal aspect of certain things. As a detective, criminal procedures and the law were always changing. Law school gave me an analytic component. It’s been beneficial for me to have a deeper understanding of the law. And my classmates from Mass School of Law, many of them chiefs and deputy chiefs, have given me a network to reach out to.
I was fortunate in 2017 to be selected to attend the FBI National Academy. Town Manager Hull allowed me to go. Chief Begonis supported me. It was a great opportunity. Only 1% of law enforcement get to go. It was an intensive 10-week program down at Quantico. The experience helped reinvigorate my career and allowed me the opportunity to meet other leaders in law enforcement from across the world.
Did you ever envision yourself becoming Deputy Chief when you first started back with the Wilmington Police Department back in 1997?
It’s been a great ride to this point. I don’t know what I envisioned in 1997. I always strive to do my best. Back then, I wanted to be the best patrolmen I could be. 1997 was an exciting time because I knew there would be a big turnover in the department. We were in the old station, but funding had already been approved for this [current] building, so I knew that was on the horizon. There were great opportunities here at the department. It’s been a great experience working through the ranks and working with people I looked up to as a child.
Two topics currently being discussed by the Selectmen and Finance Committee are the need for a public safety substation in North Wilmington & the need for more police officers in town. What are your thoughts?
The job of a police officer has changed in the 22 years I’ve been on the job. The job we’re doing now requires us to spend a lot more times on calls. We’re dealing with a lot more calls involving mental health issues and substance use disorders. Additionally, the town has grown substantially. When I first started, we didn’t have apartment complexes. We have several of them now. Between the challenges we face daily and the growing population, we could definitely use extra personnel to be better serve the public.
Chief Desmond has been working with the Fire Department on plans for a possible substation. A substation would be a benefit officers. Ballardvale Street used to be a Monday-Friday workday area, but that portion of town is growing and will continue to grow. If officers can stop in at a facility up there to write reports or conduct research online, that’s plus. Otherwise, officers would have a come all the way back to Adelaide Street.
BONUS QUESTION: What are your thoughts on Officer Paul Chalifour’s retirement retirement? (Wilmington Apple will be publishing an interview with Chalifour on Monday.)
Officer Chalifour’s retirement is a tremendous loss for the agency. Paul brought a lot to the department — his experience, his knowledge. He didn’t stripes, bars or stars — he was a leader. He was one of the officers that people looked up to in this agency. It’s a tremendous loss. I’ve leaned on Paul throughout my career. He was very instrumental in assisting me as I’ve come through. It’s a void the department will feel. It’s a great opportunity for other officers — with all these transitions — to step up and fill voids. But we’re not going to find another Paul Chalifour.
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