IM chief retires: Mattson looks back on 32 years with the police | News, Sports, Jobs

(Photo: Jim Paul/Daily News) Police and Fire Director Ed Mattson is retiring after 32 years with the Iron Mountain Police Department.

IRON MOUNTAIN – After more than 30 years with the Iron Mountain Police Department, including the last decade as director of police and fire services, Ed Mattson is retiring.

Mattson, a native of Munising, said he never grew up wanting to be a police officer. He originally studied computer science at Northern Michigan University before “I took an introduction to criminal justice and was immediately enthusiastic,” said Mattson.

Mattson then attended the police academy, also in Northern.

Mattson said his main goal as a law enforcement officer is to help people and keep them safe.

Mattson described his style as sitting back and listening. He believed he could deescalate most situations this way, he said.

The least popular thing – and this applies to the majority of police – is when children are negatively affected, he says.

But Mattson said of the job overall: “In my career, I’ve probably dealt with five or less really bad, evil people. Other people just make mistakes or screw up.”

The biggest changes Mattson has seen during his career have been the way technology has moved into law enforcement. When he started, the office had one computer, logbooks were kept by hand and reports were prepared on a typewriter, he said.

Body cameras have a positive impact on law enforcement, Mattson said, and Iron Mountain was one of the first police departments in the area to implement them.

“My predecessor was a big fan of it,” said Mattson. “We love them; they show what’s really going on. I think a lot of people thought they were blaming the police for something wrong, but most of the time the officer is falsely accused of different things.”

Mattson believes drones will be the next big trend in policing and will be as common as dogs, if not more so.

Despite being one of the busiest agencies in the area, Mattson says crime rates are up compared to 30 years ago due to technology and the documentation that comes with it. Narcotics have changed over the years, and Mattson finds the fentanyl epidemic sweeping across the country particularly troubling.

“I know many good people who have had this problem because they took prescription narcotics from their doctor,” said Mattson.

Mattson is proud of his time as a school liaison officer, one of the first in the city. He started the position part-time while still a patrol officer before taking on the role full-time for five years.

Mattson later served as a lieutenant for five years before becoming director.

Mattson believes he is leaving the police and fire departments in a good place and in good hands. He said he will miss the people from both departments and other law enforcement agencies in the area.

Mattson said he is grateful to everyone who has supported him throughout his career.

“The citizens of Iron Mountain were all nice to me,” said Mattson. “Of course my family – my wife, who has endured a lot over the years, my daughter, my son – and everyone I have worked with. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Mattson’s family includes his wife Ann Mattson, his son EJ Mattson and his daughter Emma Rotter.

Mattson doesn’t have any big plans for retirement, but he will work eight hours a week doing maintenance at his daughter’s business, Northern Discovery Preschool & Childcare. Otherwise, he will focus on his role as a grandfather and stay-at-home dad, he said.

Mattson’s last day is today, one of the rare times he will be working on Independence Day. He plans to march in the Iron Mountain parade with his three-year-old grandson, Paul.

Jeff Solka, deputy director of police services, will assume the role of director.

Reach Jim Paul at 906-774-2772, extension 229, or [email protected].