Christopher Cutter

Photos by Greg Derr

Police officer, Abington

Tell us about yourself.

"My philosophy is to do the right thing. I try to lead by example. There isn't much that I ask the officers to do that I don't have experience in."

"...You need to remain unbiased when dealing with fellow employees and the public. And you need to have good listening skills, be able to hear both sides of a story, try to lead by example and be a good role model and teacher."

"The thing I do best is being a good example for my children."

"The key to my happiness is family. ...We deal with a lot out there, so many unhappy families, and it reflects on their actions in public. ...It is important to have a solid home environment."

THE SKINNY

RANK: Deputy police chief

AGE: 41

BIO: Cutter was born and raised in Abington. Shortly after graduating from Abington High School in 1985, he enlisted in the Army Reserve and completed basic and advanced training in Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He got his associate's degree in justice administration from Massasoit Community College in Brockton in 1989. He received a bachelor's degree from Curry College in 1996 and a master's in justice administration from Western New England College in 2001. More recently, he completed an 11-week management training program at the FBI academy in Quantico, Va. He was a part-time Abington police officer before being made full time in 1990. He lives in East Bridgewater with his wife, Deborah, and their children, Alicia and twins Ryan and Cheryl.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? "I spent a lot of time thinking about a police job, but early on I was interested in aviation science and got my pilot's license."

What would you have been if not a police officer? "I would have been a pilot."

Best advice you ever got: "Somewhere down the line, my parents taught me to do the right thing. And that was reinforced when I attended basic training for the Army Reserve."

Person who gave it to you: "My parents."

What do you do in your spare time? In addition to spending time with his family, Cutter runs. He'll take part in a 17-mile mountain race in Pennsylvania this weekend.