Andrew “Andy” Polak served 34 years as a member of the Hudson Police Force, 26 of these years as Police Chief, retiring in 1972. This 1942 photo shows Officer “Andy” next to the Police Cruiser on the Derry Road in front of Goodwin’s Fried Clam Stand with Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in the background.
In addition to being Police Chief he was also the Health Officer, responsible for recording measles, mumps, and other infectious diseases. The mobile radio installed in the cruiser was receive only. Calls for service were dispatched to the Chief. After completing the call or if he needed additional personnel, he would have to find a phone nearby to call in his report.
In 2000, during a ceremony to recognize retired Chief Polak at the Historical Society, he donated his police uniform to the Society to be retained as part of our town’s history. The photograph is from the Hudson Historical Society’s collection and was a donation from Celia Polak, daughter of the Chief.
Information from www.rememberhudsonnhwhen.com. For more details on Polak and crime information during his tenure, please visit https://rememberhudsonnhwhen.com/2017/04/28/officer-polak-and-the-cruiser-1942/.