Newly promoted Lieutenant Thomas Lema.
Longtime District 1 Community Police Sergeant Thomas Lema is leaving his post here after 18 years of service to the Charlestown community.
Lema has been promoted to Lieutenant for the Boston Police Department and friends and colleagues will hold a going away party on Thursday, April 3 (tonight) at 5 p.m. at the North Star, 222 Friend St.
For nearly two decades Lema worked closely with the residents in Charlestown and addressing community issues with the Friends of the Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown Against Drugs, and the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition.
“I have truly enjoyed all of the partnerships with the communities on District A-1,” Lema wrote in a letter to the community. “I have met so many fantastic people who help make our neighborhoods better every day. I will be moving on to become a lieutenant within the Boston Police Department.”
Lema said he will miss working with everyone on a day-to-day basis but will still be within the police department.
“I would be more than happy to help out as I move forward,” he said.
Sergeant James Chin will replace Lema—a man he called a highly qualified and great choice to continue on as the community service supervisor.
“Please continue to reach out, maintain partnerships, create a positive quality of life for everyone, solve problems within the community and find preventative strategies to stop crime,” said Lema. “We know that it only works when we do it together.”