Peabody swears in 4 police officers

PEABODY – Mayor Michael Bonfanti declared that Monday was another happy day in the city, prior to the swearing in of four full-time police officers at City Hall.City residents Christos Zamakis, David Murphy, Javier Sanchez, and Joyce Moulton are the latest to don the blue uniforms and carry on what Bonfanti considers the proud tradition of the Peabody Police Department.”These new young men and women are at the forefront of (the department’s) new plans,” he said. “You earned the right to be here.”Murphy comes to Peabody after spending seven years with the Newbury Police Department. He said working in Peabody has always been a goal of his.”I’ve always wanted to be here,” he said. “The timing was just right to make the move.”As he’s already gone through academy training, Murphy will start on the job Monday. The others will begin their six months of training next week.”I’m looking forward to giving back to the community that gave me so much,” Murphy said. Through community policing, Murphy hopes to focus primarily on helping Peabody’s youth and schools.”It’s an honor to be able to work, serve and protect the citizens of my hometown,” said Moulton, who was just sworn in as a reserve this past October.Sanchez had the quickest turn around of the four. He was placed as a reserve officer three weeks ago before landing the full-time position. He will be the first Spanish-speaking officer on the force.Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Peabody, Sanchez said becoming an officer was a dream come true. He’s looking forward to using his bilingual skills to benefit the department in any way he can.Both Bonfanti and Police Chief Robert Champagne discussed the need for the department to keep up with the changing ways of their city and having a bilingual officer fell right in line with that.”(Peabody) is significantly different now than in the 1970s and ’80s,” said Champagne. “Crime is on the rise across America, and unfortunately, Peabody’s no exception.”Champagne said although an officer spends one third of their time fighting crime, they spend the other two thirds preventing it and providing services to their customers: the citizens of Peabody. And with their dedication, he hopes to effectively meet the city’s policing needs.”Peabody’s evolving and growing and becoming a real large city,” said Bonfanti to the four standing to his right. “I expect great things of you.”