Outgoing Union President Warns Mass. Police Staffing at Risk

A retiring police union president warns Lawrence could face deeper staffing shortages without stronger recruitment incentives as dozens of officers near retirement.

By Jill Harmacinski

Source The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.

March 31, 2026

2 min read

What to know

The outgoing president of the Lawrence police patrolman’s union says the city must do more to recruit and retain officers as staffing levels continue to decline.
Paul MacMillan said patrol ranks have fallen from 135 officers to 102, with about 25 more eligible for retirement, while the city does not offer signing bonuses and starts pay at $54,000.
MacMillan, who retired after more than three decades in law enforcement, pointed to major criminal investigations and victim advocacy as highlights of his career.

Lawrence, MA, Patrolmens Association — Retiring police union president Paul MacMillan says recruitment is a necessity as patrol numbers have dwindled because of retirements and officers resigning to pursue jobs in other agencies or other fields.

LAWRENCE, MA—The outgoing president of a Lawrence police union said the city needs to do more to attract and retain police officers.

Paul MacMillan, president of the patrolman’s union, retired last year after nearly 22 years of service on LPD and another 10 years on North Andover police where he started his career.

MacMillan said he left with negotiations underway on the next police contract. He said the city currently has 102 patrol officers but once boasted 135 in that rank.

The patrol number dwindled due to retirements and officers resigning to pursue jobs in other agencies or other fields, he said.

Some 25 officers are either currently and soon eligible for retirement which will drop the numbers even lower, he noted making recruitment a necessity.

Unlike other police departments and law enforcement agencies, Lawrence does not offer signing bonuses. Starting pay is $54,000 with additional pay depending on level of education completed, he said.

MacMillan said the police department runs better without interference from City Hall.

“We know how to police,” he said.

Throughout his career MacMillan worked in patrol, detectives, the domestic violence unit and as the designated court officer.

MacMillan said investigating murders and finding justice for families are among his top accomplishments. He was also involved in one of the first sex trafficking cases prosecuted in Essex County.

Lori Ann Barron was convicted of running a Lawrence brothel.

In June 2017, she was sentenced to seven to nine years in state prison after she was found guilty of three counts of sex trafficking, one count of deriving support from prostitution and one count of photographing an unsuspecting nude person at her business, The Day Spa for Gentlemen on South Broadway.

The state appeals court later upheld the convictions.

MacMillan said he was also proud to work with and support an unintended shooting victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury and confronted her attacker in court.

“A lot of things happen. You see a lot of grief and a lot of suffering. It’s not like TV,” he said.

He and his wife, Sindy, have two daughters, Victoria, 27, and Alexis, 25. They have relocated to South West Florida.

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