BY DARRELL HALEN

After serving Pelham for 28 years, Evan Haglund, the town’s police chief, is stepping down.

Haglund, 51, who worked his way up the ranks, is retiring from his position in May.

Haglund said he was able to buy service time in the state’s retirement system to increase his service from 29 years to 34 years.

“It’s in the best interest of my family financially,” he said.

After working one year in Concord, Haglund joined Pelham’s police department as a patrolman in 1979. During his tenure, he spent about 17 months serving as acting chief.

He became chief in May 2000. He and his wife, Christine, have two children.

Although he will stop working in Pelham, Haglund is not done working in law enforcement. He is applying for jobs with police departments in Topsfield and Tyngsboro, Mass.

“I’m definitely too young to retire,” he said. “I think I have qualities I can bring to other communities.”

Haglund repeated a wish that he  publicly expressed nearly two years ago when Joseph Roark was promoted to captain: He would like Roark to succeed him when he steps down.

Roark, who was promoted from lieutenant to captain when the captain’s job was created, has been Haglund’s second-in-command for five-and-a-half years, the chief said.

“He’s very community-oriented and believes in putting the community first,” Haglund said.

He noted that Roark lives in town, has a child who will go through the local school system, and has stayed with the department despite efforts by other police departments to lure him away.

Haglund said he’s proud of his department’s successes, including its work in drug enforcement. He said his department is community-oriented and had developed a good rapport with the kids, parents, schools and others in town.

He also noted that his department has returned surpluses to the town every year he’s been chief.

The department has been able to achieve its successes while keeping its  budget low is due to the dedication of his staff, Haglund said.

The decision of who replaces Haglund will be made by the board of selectmen.

Victor Danevich, the board’s chairman, called Haglund’s work outstanding.

“He’s well-respected in the community. He’s done an awesome job,” Danevich said.

Roark, who joined the department as a patrolman in 1996 and has worked up the ranks, said will apply for the chief’s job.

“I’m definitely interested in the position and will participate in any process to prove myself,” he said.