Peabody Police announce assignments for new captains

PEABODY-Police Chief Robert Champagne announced the geographical assignments of the department?s three recently appointed police captains.Dennis Bonaiuto will manage the South Area, John DeRosa the Central Area, and Joseph Berardino will man the West Area. The lieutenants were promoted to the rank of captain last month, moving the department closer to its overall goal of reorganization.?These are good guys,” said Mayor Michael Bonfanti. “They?re all very qualified and experienced.”As one of the state?s largest cities, both the Mayor?s Office and the department decided it was time to join forces and reconfigure the way the city protects its citizens. The city previously appointed two new deputy chiefs, Marty Cohan and Scott Carriere, who will serve as non-union “mini chiefs” of selected geographical zones. They will be responsible for all that occurs in their post 24 hours a day, seven days a week, said Police Chief Robert Champagne.?We wanted to start at the top,” Bonfanti said. “We had to get the key players in place so we can have everything filter down.”Champagne and Bonfanti both agree that the reorganization will enhance the department?s delivery of services to the public.?It adds an extra hand,” said Champagne. “It adds some people who will now have to be subject matter experts of everything that goes on in that specific area of the city.”Champagne said the new positions will also increase accountability, availability, and knowledge of issues, crime-related or not, in all of the city?s communities.