METHUEN — They chose a line of work associated with danger and discipline, but four of the city's top police officers showed their soft sides yesterday.
City Clerk Christine Touma-Conway swore in newly appointed police Chief Katherine Lavigne, Capt. Thomas Fram, Lt. Gregory Gallant and Sgt. Kenneth Leone during a ceremony in the Great Hall at City Hall.
Their relatives attended, and the late-afternoon festivities included refreshments, mingling, hugs and kisses. The police officials' badges were pinned to their uniforms by family members.
The chief's badge was pinned on by her nephews, Thomas Moran, 18, and Patrick Moran, 12.
"It felt good," Thomas Moran said. "She's really a fun aunt. She's, like, a really great role model aunt for me."
Lavigne is in her 19th year on the force. She is the city's first female police chief.
Leone, a 12-year veteran, is at the other end of the spectrum, making his first move up the ranks. He held his 2-year-old daughter, Isabella, while his father, Kenneth Leone Sr., beamed with pride and pinned the badge on the new sergeant.
"He's a good cop," the elder Leone said.
The City Council voted last week to approve Mayor William Manzi's police appointments. The mayor said yesterday he still has to finish negotiating a contract with Lavigne, but that will probably be done by the end of next week. Once the contract is finalized, it will go to the City Council for approval.
Fram, a 25-year veteran, will be the Police Department's second-in-command. His wife, Mary Jo, pinned his badge on him while his parents, Thomas and Frances, watched.
"That's been his lifelong dream," his father said.
"He's been everything a mother could ask for," Frances Fram said.
Gallant's daughter, Monica, 11, pinned him. His son, Gregory, 17, did the honors when he was first hired as a patrolman.
Manzi said the police officials are "deeply committed to public safety in Methuen."
"Take care of these people, families, they do great work for us," he said.
Lavigne said this marks a "new beginning for the Methuen Police Department."
Lavigne began serving as acting chief after Manzi placed the former chief, Joseph Solomon, on leave Sept. 28. Manzi fired Solomon on May 7 after a lengthy civil service discipline hearing on accusations of grant mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
