January 25, 2010

By Rick Winterson

Captain Robert Flaherty, the Commanding Officer of Station C-6, will officially retire this Friday, January 22.  He says it was a “major, major decision” for him.  While he’ll miss the camaraderie of the Boston Police Force, retirement is a step he is looking forward to.   Flaherty intends to relax for a few months and then assess what endeavors he pursues.  He also expresses his warmest gratitude to the people of South Boston for their constant support during the nearly four years he was here.

Captain Robert Flaherty has served as the Commanding Officer of District 6 – Station C-6 – since 2006.  He has been a member of the Boston Police Force for 32 years.  During that time, he has become known for his knack for community outreach.  That includes establishing the Neighborhood Advisory Council, taking part personally in numerous details, and generally making his presence visible on the streets of South Boston.

Right now, Flaherty plans to spend the next few months relaxing, and in his own words, “Seeing to my well-being, getting fit again.  I want to be healthy for my next 35 years.”  When asked how else he’ll spend his new-found free time, he says he’ll walk the beaches and wait for a grandchild.  He’ll socialize over coffee with Joe “Beepa” Doherty.  During this interview, Flaherty said, “Listen, just opening my front door down in Adams Village in Dorchester is exciting.”

After a few months, he plans to assess his long-term future.  Working a couple of days a week is a possibility; whether that’ll be in some kind of security work is open to question.  His wife, Clare (Wyse) Flaherty, will continue to put in a few days a week at Flynn Insurance.  He also intends to spend more time with his in-laws in Yarmouthport, and with his grownup children – Patrick is married and is a police officer in West Hartford, Connecticut; Deirdre is about to complete her Nursing degree at Riviere College in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Flaherty states that he’ll miss the camaraderie of the Boston Police Force – “It was my second family” - and performing his Captain’s duties.  “There are so many wonderful things I got to work on – the visit by the USS Kennedy aircraft carrier, the Biotech Convention, the Boston meeting of the National Police Chiefs’ Association, and the observances that surrounded the passing of Jim Kelly and Senator Kennedy.  I really enjoyed being a part of these events.”

There were low points over the years as well, Flaherty quickly pointed out.  He has had problems with crowd behavior after Boston’s decade of sports championships.  “Good people doing bad things for one night”, as he describes it.  The deaths of Virginia Snelgrove in 2004 and the woman who was hit by a cruiser at D and Broadway were other tragedies he felt deeply.

But Flaherty is an optimist.  He ended the interview by saying, “I’m very fortunate to be able to walk off into the sunset as the Commanding Officer of District 6.  The people of South Boston like their police officers.  The officers there handle things very well.” 

A newly-appointed Captain will come on board the Station tomorrow.  He’s Richard Evans, a 20+ year member of the B.P.D., who has spent portions of his career as a patrolman in District 6 and as a Lieutenant in District 11.

Sometime in March, there’ll be a farewell celebration for Flaherty, along with Lieutenant Lockhart and Officer Cappucci, who are also retiring.  We’ll keep you posted.