PEABODY — The Wiggin Auditorium at City Hall was filled to the brim as two full-time police officers along with 15 reserve officers were sworn in.
Alyssa Gaudet and James Leavitt will be full-time officers, while Christopher Lavoie, Adam St. Pierre, Daniel O’Connell, William DeRoo, Derek Broughton, Thomas Southern, Timothy Glynn, Nicolas Pointer, Michael Diachisin, Frank Falco, Richard Gazofsky, Kyle Scopa, Anthony Paolucci, Ryan McCarthy, and Kristina Sholds were sworn in as reserve officers.
“I always look forward to these ceremonies,” said Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. “Not only is it a wonderful opportunity to introduce new officers to our ranks, but it is also a chance to pay tribute to all the outstanding men and women who make up the Peabody Police Department. Public service is an admirable career and being a police officer is a true calling. We are fortunate in our city to have outstanding men and women in our fire and police departments who work hard to protect our city, and each deserves great credit for the skill and professionalism they demonstrate every day on our behalf.”
The mayor also gave his perspective on the job as his father was a police officer.
“Being the son of a police officer, and having many other family members and close friends who have served and currently serve our community, I have a deep understanding of how difficult and demanding your jobs are,” Bettencourt said. “It’s more than just a 40-hour-a-week job. Being a police officer becomes your life. I have a deep respect for those willing to put on that badge every day. Your willingness to sacrifice your own safety to protect the life and property of others is particularly noble.”
Peabody Police Chief Tom Griffin said that swearing in officers is one of the most important parts of his job.
“Selecting candidates that are going to be in this community, with the trust of the community, (and) working in the community for the next two or three decades,” he said. “The men and women of this department do great work on a daily basis.”
Griffin also thanked Bettencourt for his support of the police department.
“You have 15 people right here that are going to get sworn in as reserve officers, which is outstanding,” said Griffin. “The mayor said last summer that we are going to get back to where we need to be (in terms of staffing) and he put the plan in action with the H.R. (human resources) director and here we are. I couldn’t be happier for the department and for the city. We have 15 outstanding candidates that are going to do a great job for the city.”
