LYNN — Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger appeared this week on an episode of “The American Dream,” a show hosted by Attorney James J. Carrigan, to discuss policy and programs at the sheriff’s department.
The show, which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., and Saturdays at 7 a.m. on Comcast Channel 3 and Verizon Channel 38, is “designed to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how public and private policy is developed,” according to Carrigan.
The conversation between Coppinger, a former Lynn police chief, and Carrigan ran just under half an hour. It began with a discussion of Coppinger’s philosophy on training and the state of staffing in the sheriff’s department.
Coppinger explained that the department is now down roughly 60 staff members, and detailed the various incentives offered to new employees. The incentives include a $2,500 signing bonus, a starting salary of up to $67,000, and eligibility for 100 percent tuition reimbursement at state universities.
“It is a tough job, I’m not going to lie, but it can be rewarding,” Coppinger said. “You can work up there and put in 20 years and you can retire, and you can retire with a pension.”
The episode with Coppinger’s appearance has already been uploaded on the Lynn Community Television website, and will air on television channels later this week.
