Three Minutes on a Park Bench With: Police Chief Paul Tucker

You may have heard he's running for state representative, but did you know he's climbed an active volcano?  

We recently caught up with Salem Police Chief Paul Ticker as part of our new virtual Patch Park Bench column. 

Patch: What's your morning routine? 

Paul Tucker: Very early morning walk with my two dogs, my Boxer Hannah and my 130 pound Bloodhound Duke then off to B & S Fitness gym, home to shower and off to the police station for work.

P: What do you do for a living? And what's the best thing about your job?

PT: I'm the Salem Police Chief. The people I meet, the help we can oftentimes provide, the variety and not always knowing what the day will bring.

P: What's the hardest?

PT: Dealing with people who have been victimized in one form or another, seeing people in the grip of addiction and sometimes having to sacrifice family obligations - but the work must get done.

P: How long have you lived in Salem? 

PT: A very long time.

P: What's your favorite thing about living here?

PT: I love Salem because it is a diverse, vibrant, seacoast, eclectic, beautiful, always-happening place. I think that covers it!

P: If you had to arrange a secret meeting here, where would you have it?

PT: On the benches at Winter Island up high by the Harbormasters Office overlooking the water.

P: Tell us something about yourself that most of your neighbors don't know.

PT: My wife and I like to mountain climb. Two years ago we climbed an active volcano in Iceland. There was an alarm at the top and if it blew you have 4 hours to get down, still has not erupted yet but will with next few years.

P: When you want a really indulgent snack here, where do you go and what do you get?

PT: Hobbs Popcorn at the Willows. With a hot fudge sundae on the side

P: What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

PT: Treat people the way you would expect to be treated.

P: What are you doing after this interview?

PT: Going to a retirement party for a neighboring city police chief.

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Nominate someone from your community for the Patch Park Bench interview. Send suggestions to owen.boss@patch.com.