2 Peabody officers promoted

PEABODY – For the first time in over 20 years, the Peabody Police Department will have not one, but two deputy chiefs.The new positions, which are in the process of being finalized, are part of a massive reorganization of the department under Chief Robert Champagne.According to the chief, Lt. Martin Cohane and Capt. Scott Carriere were named to the deputy chief positions on Sunday. However, the men have only been “provisionally promoted” at this point, according to Champagne, who said they will be officially promoted once they pass the Civil Service’s Deputy Chief test in approximately two months.Most local police departments, including Peabody’s, participate in the statewide Civil Service exams in order for people to become police officers or receive promotions.In an interview with the Item, Champagne said he’s pushed for reorganization for about 10 years. He said separating the leaders of the department from their union brothers was a major reason for the change.”That’s the real issue here,” Champagne said. “The concept of being a buddy and a boss.””It puts people in awkward places when you have to do that,” he continued. “In many times it has put them in conflict of the law.”Champagne said creating the deputy chief positions is only one part of his restructuring effort. He said it won’t cost the city a dime because his efforts involve using the resources the department already has budgeted.He said after the department was assessed by independent bodies over the past 30 years, the one thing that always needed improvement was “strengthening the management.”While one deputy chief would be responsible for managing administrative duties, the other would be in charge of field operations – officers on the street. This is a strategy currently used by the Lynn police department.Another new method Champagne wants to try is holding three captains who work in field operations accountable for sections of the city designated to them – another idea currently used in Lynn.”Traditionally, the police have responded and reacted to crime,” Champagne said. “What we’re trying to do is find out what’s going on ahead of time to anticipate where crimes might occur and prevent them.”He said the city will be split basically along Ward lines. Wards 1 and 2 consist of the South Peabody sector; Wards 3 and 4 consist of downtown; Wards 5 and 6 consist of West Peabody.