LYNN — City officials, family members, and community leaders gathered recently at City Hall to celebrate new additions to the Lynn Police Department and promotions within the Lynn Fire Department during a joint swearing-in ceremony highlighting service, commitment, and public safety.
Six officers were sworn in to the Lynn Police Department, including four recent academy graduates and two experienced transfer officers. Police Chief Christopher Reddy noted that the new hires mark a significant step forward as the department works to strengthen staffing levels.
“I think it’s critically important to have dedicated young police officers to help keep our community safe and to build those trusting relationships now more than ever, so I’m excited to have them,” he said.
Among the new officers was Brian Oljey, a Lynn native who previously served for more than two decades as a police officer in New Hampshire before retiring and returning to his hometown to continue his career.
“It’s kind of a full circle,” Oljey said. “I was born in Lynn, and it feels great to come back and serve the city I grew up in.”
The four academy graduates — who trained together at the Randolph Police Academy — said they were eager to begin working in Lynn and to serve the community they now call home.
“It’s been a dream of ours,” one officer, Patrick Norton, said, adding that they were excited to get started after months of training.
Along with Oljey and Norton, Kenneth D’Agastino, Jesse Fiorentino, Richard Pragneel, and Zachary Yanoff were also sworn in.
Mayor Jared Nicholson thanked the officers for answering the call to public service and acknowledged the role their families play in supporting them.
“We need people willing to protect and serve this community,” Nicholson said. “We’re grateful to each of you and to the families who support you in this important work.”
Following the police ceremony, the city also recognized promotions within the Lynn Fire Department. Michael Downey was promoted to district chief, David Hathaway to captain, and Leo Cirino to lieutenant, marking career milestones that collectively represent decades of service to Lynn.
The Fire Chief Daniel Sullivan said he and Downey were hired together approximately 30 years ago, and it “has been nice working together all of these years.” He added, “These promotions are exciting.”
Downey, who has served the department for nearly 29 years, described the promotion as both exciting and humbling.
“Doing almost 30 years of something you love — it’s been a great career,” he said, noting that many family members were present to support him during the ceremony.
Hathaway, a 20-year veteran, called the promotion very exciting and thanked city leadership and his family for their continued support. Cirino, who has served for 14 years, said the moment reflected years of dedication and hard work within the department, and said he was privileged to be in the Department.
City officials closed the ceremony by congratulating both the new police officers and the newly promoted firefighters, emphasizing the importance of experience, training, and community trust in keeping Lynn safe.
“We are extremely proud to welcome these new police officers and firefighters to our team,” said Nicholson. “We appreciate their dedication and commitment to protecting our residents, and we wish them much success in their careers ahead.”
