Essex County Sheriff Candidate Mark Archer: Snapshot

Editor's Note: This profile is part of a series on candidates for Essex County Sheriff. Patch is not endorsing any candidate in this race, and profiles are being published as candidates are available for interviews.

Independent Mark Archer of Bedford

Experience:

Mark Archer, a practicing attorney who lives in Bedford, was with the Massachusetts State Police for 20 years before his retirement in 2008. He worked in Central Narcotics doing undercover work, and helped to start the Hotel Drug Interdiction Unit to target high-level drug traffickers.

Archer, originally of Lynn, worked as a plumber before he was a trooper. He is one of eight children, and has a brother at the Lynn Fire Department, another brother at the the Swampscott Fire Department, and a sister who is an Assistant Chief Probation Officer in the Essex County Superior Court in Salem.

Running because:

"I think the Sheriff's department needs serious change," Archer told Patch. "It lacks accountability and transparency. The time for change is now."

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If elected:

"We're arresting large numbers of people, and we're not offering them programs and services that they need," said Archer. "The only way you change that is introducing programs and services that are effective."

Archer has listed several programs he plans to implement in addition to the department's barbershop program and food service program, including expanding the Narcotics Anonymous programs, partnering with mental health facilities like Lahey Clinic to combat opioid addiction, life coping programs, academic programs with Boston University and Salem State University, Business 101 classes, and an inmate family outreach program, to name a few.

"People's hearts get cold, and they become mean," said Archer. "You need to foster a relationship with family."

Archer said he would freeze his Massachusetts State Trooper pension if elected.

What sets him apart:

Archer said his experience makes him a unique candidate.

"I'm the only candidate that has specific programs and services," he said. "I'm an Independent. I'm not beholden to any one political party. I want to work for everyone equally."

Archer said he would also take the diversity of the department more seriously than other candidates.

Accomplishments:

In 2008, when the economy crashed, Archer worked with the Volunteer Lawyers Project to help families keep their homes and file for bankruptcy, pro bono.

"Helping people makes me happy," he said.

Endorsements:

• Mass State Police Association
• Commission Officers Association of Massachusetts
• New England Police Benevolent Association
• Retired Deputy Superintendent Jerry Robido
• Retired DEA Agent Paul L.D. Russell, Jr.

Image via Mark Archer