The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Police chief retires after long career in city
Police Chief Michael Lazor sits in his office and recounts his first day on the job as a Willowick police officer 33 years ago.
Lazor, while pulling into the police station, ran over an open manhole and got his car stuck and ended up explaining to the officer present that he was the new guy on the force. The officer signaled for a construction crew working nearby to lift his car out of the open in. Once the car was free, Lazor pulled into the police station ready to start his new job while the officer who helped him said he wouldn’t say a word.
Lazor, while meeting with the police chief later that morning, didn’t say a word when the chief mentioned the jerk that got his car stuck in front of the police station. That former chief never found out who “the jerk” was and Lazor still respects the officer who kept his word and never told anyone.
Lazor, whose 17 years as chief makes him currently the longest seated police chief in Lake County, is now retiring.
“It’s time, with my age and number of years, I’m ready,” he said. “It’s been a good run. I love the department. I love the people in it, but they need new blood. I’m not a believer in being around forever.”
Lazor said he is very comfortable with the people that are being left in the command positions, including Brian Turner, who is being promoted to chief. He also takes pride in the fact that he has had a hand in the hiring of about 12-13 of the current officers which, is slightly more than half the department.
“I am proud of the fact that we have hired some really good people... they are all still here so, I feel really good about that,” Lazor said.
He compared the experience to watching some of your kids grow up.
Lazor sees an aspect of the unknown in the retirement he is looking forward to as he decides what to do with his time. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family, especially his grandchildren who all reside in Willowick.
In addition, he is looking for other ways to occupy his time.
“I don’t see myself looking for work... but, I also don’t want to sit around and vegetate,” he said. “I thought about doing some volunteer work, getting involved with some activities,... to get out and be with people and keep busy.”
Lazor mentions that his parish priest is aware of his retirement and has informed him that he has plans for him, but hasn’t indicated just what those plans are yet.
Lazor credits his 33 years with the department for providing him with a family, a means to provide for them and for introducing him to a lot of good people and a lot of good experiences.
“I like to think that I grew as a person as well because of my position here,” he said.
Lazor describes his journey towards becoming an officer as a convoluted path.
“My dad was always interested in police work although he was never a police officer... he was always pro law enforcement and I think that exposure helped me,” Lazor said.
He started out in private security at Fisher Body where he worked until the plant closing, leaving him out of work for 10 months.
He notes that it was during this time when he first took the test to become a Willowick police officer. His wife got a phone call saying that he came in second and they hired the person who finished No. 1.
After that he spent a few years taking public transportation to work every day to get to his security job at Higbees. He recalls standing at a bus one morning when the head of the Civil Service recognized him and offered him a ride and a second chance.
“He asked me if I would consider doing it again. He said he thought I was a good candidate but at the time there was only one spot open,” Lazor said.
He spoke to his wife about it, telling her he wasn’t sure he wanted to go through the whole testing process again. His wife told him not to dismiss his opportunities and he decided to go for it.
“I took the test, got No. 1, went to the interview, got through the process and got offered the job,” he said.
Lazor was almost 30 when he was hired into the police department in 1984.
“Regardless of what plans I had in mind, God had a different plan for me and he managed to get me right back to where I was supposed to be originally,” he said.
When Lazor was asked about some of his most memorable moments during his career, he replied by saying there had been so many it was tough to decide.
One of the accomplishments he is most proud of is the dispatch upgrade accomplished several years ago along with the addition of a K-9 officer to the department,
Lazor states he has been fortunate to have supportive mayors and city council during his tenure as chief.
Willowick Mayor Rich Regovich also appreciates Lazor’s work.
“The city of Willowick has been well-served by Chief Mike Lazor. It is unusual for someone to serve 17 years as chief of police,” Regovich said. “Chief Lazor has a reputation of high integrity, and fairness. The quality of the people who work for him speaks volumes of his ability to form a top grade police department. I am very fortunate to have had him in place during my first year as Mayor.”
Lazor’s parting advice to Turner, as the new chief, is simply “always make sure you compliment people amongst others and discipline privately.”
His advice to the rest of the department is “Back your chief. Back him because he is a good guy and if you back him he will take care of you.”
Lazor is confident the department will continue to function smoothly after he leaves.
“I have no qualms whatsoever this department will function very well, as it should, and that is from the newest guy we hired, all the way to the top.” he said. “Brian is a good guy and has been instrumental and supportive of me as a lieutenant and well deserving of the position and he needs to go his own way with the department. He will be an excellent chief.”
Lazor jokes that he hopes the department, when it comes to socialization, will keep him on its A-list for events.
“I’m hoping to see them, it just won’t be every day,” Lazor said. “It’s the same thing as with your kids, you raise your kids and you expect them to fly the coop at some point and go out on their own. In this case I’m the one flying the coop.“
Lazor’s last act as police chief will be to swear in Turner as the new chief during the April 4 City Council meeting.
“It’s been a good run. I love the department. I love the people in it, but they need new blood. I’m not a believer in being around forever.” — Police Chief Michael Lazor