August 3, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
Police Chief Glenn Olsson's last official day on the job, after serving with the Hingham Police Department for nearly 40 years, is today (Aug. 3).
Olsson, 62, initially planned to retire when he reached age 65 -- as required of public safety officials under state law -- to "beat my brother's record," he quipped. Fire Chief Robert Olsson retired in early 2018 after serving with the Hingham Fire Department for 41 years.
Formerly the deputy and interim fire chief respectively, Robert Olsson was named the new permanent fire chief in the same year his younger brother, Glenn, was named police chief -- in 2015.
Town Administrator Tom Mayo announced Olsson's retirement in a notice dated today, calling it "a tremendous loss for the town." (See below to read the entire letter.)
Mayo explained, and Olsson confirmed to the Hingham Anchor, that Olsson had informed him earlier that he was preparing to retire -- the details still to be worked out -- but when the COVID-19 pandemic took a major hit on the entire nation, including Hingham, Olsson postponed his retirement.
Olsson joined the Hingham Police Department in 1980 as a patrol officer, subsequently serving as sergeant, traffic sergeant, deputy chief, and police chief.
"I've always enjoyed this job -- it's had its plusses and minuses, but I chose this career because I wanted to help people and also work in a small town," he said.
One of the biggest rewards of the job was encountering someone he had helped earlier tell him years later what a positive impact that incident had on that person's life. "It meant a lot to have made a difference," Olsson said.
He found it rewarding working with various town boards on different issues and being up-to-date on what was happening in town. "It was good to be involved and aware. So much of what happens in town affects our officers as well as the townspeople," he said.
What Olsson will miss most is the everyday camaraderie among his fellow police officers, and he wishes them "much success.
"I know they will continue to do a great job, and I'm proud of them all. Our officers really give a lot to the community, and the community supports us. That's important," Olsson said.
In his free time, he plans to fish, enjoy the outdoors, and use the two kayaks that he bought two or three years ago that have been sitting in his yard.
"I'll be doing a lot of things I have been wanting to do but haven't had the opportunity to do," he said.
