Saugus welcomes new police officer

SAUGUS – He may not start patrolling the streets of Saugus until Tuesday, but the job of police work is nothing new to Lorenzo Internicola.Internicola, 25, said he was proud that father Nick Internicola, a former state trooper, was present as he was sworn in to the Saugus Police Department Friday morning at Town Hall.Internicola, who finished the police academy this week, said he had always wanted to become a police officer and he was excited to follow in his father?s footsteps.Nick Internicola said he was “anxious and excited, as any person would be” to see his son become a police officer. Mother Danielle Internicola said father and son are already swapping stories at home.Fifteen people attended the ceremony in the Town Hall lobby, including five officers in uniform, Chief Domenic DiMella and Internicola?s girlfriend, Dena Barressi.DiMella said Internicola is filling a spot from an officer who retired to maintain their numbers at 54 officers. DiMella said Internicola?s experience in the Navy as a prison guard at Guantanamo Bay and his background from law enforcement will make him a good addition to the department. “For anybody who served the country, to have them at home is a plus for everybody,” said DiMella. “I know he?s a quality person and he will do well for us.”Town Manager Scott Crabtree, who conducted the swearing-in ceremony with Town Clerk Joanne Rappa, added, “It?s always a great day when we?re hiring public safety officers to patrol the residents and citizens of our town.”