The recent Peabody Police Department Swearing-In Ceremony drew in many to celebrate some officers for well-deserved promotions and others for their integral roles in tense situations.
Mayor Ted Bettencourt kicked off the evening by emphasizing that Peabody Police officers “deserve great credit for the skill and professionalism they demonstrate on our behalf each and every day.” He also mentioned how fortunate Peabody is to have such dedicated officers “working together to keep us safe and protect us from harm.”
“Public safety is truly an admirable career. However, being a police officer is a true calling,” Bettencourt said. “Being the son of a police officer myself and having other family members and friends who have served or currently serve our community, I have deep respect for those willing to wear that badge every day. Your willingness to sacrifice your own safety to protect the life and property of others is particularly noble, and on behalf of a grateful community, I thank each and every one of you for your dedication and service to our city.”
Police Chief Tom Griffin was next up to the podium, and he began with a simple statement of gratitude: “I just feel very fortunate to be the police chief here.” He thanked elected officials and Fire Chief Jay Dowling for their “outstanding support.” Griffin also thanked the friends and family sat in front of him for supporting their loved ones.
“Without your support, without your help, the men and women of this police department would really struggle to be able to accomplish what they need to do,” Griffin said. “It takes a lot to be a police officer. It takes a lot to be promoted. I know it takes a lot of time away from you folks, and I personally want to thank you because I have outstanding men and women that we’re promoting and that we’re putting on this police job, and it’s because of the support that you folks give them at home.”
For promotions, there were 11 to be recognized: Capt. David Bonfanti, Lt. Stephanie Lane, Sgt. Thomas Ciulla, Sgt. Michael Donovan, Sgt. Steven Orsini, Sgt. Matthew Whalen, Officer Zachary DaSilva, Officer Thomas Linnane, Officer Thomas O’Donnell, Officer Kaydee Purcell, and Officer Drake Reynolds.
Each took their time to thank their loved ones and reflect on what policing means to them. Bonfanti pointed to an Abraham Lincoln quote he has on his phone screen, which is also on the mayor’s wall: “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”
“That simply means be someone your community respects and your family can be proud of you by how you live, not by what you say,” Bonfanti said. “That is such a powerful, daily reminder to do the right thing, even when it’s hard, even when no one is watching.”
Griffin commended many officers for their pivotal part in various tense situations.
“When I talk to kids about police work and things like that, I tell them that the only thing that they get right in the movies and on TV is what goes on at roll call,” Griffin said. “The actual stuff we do out on the street, I don’t think a lot of people have any idea. You watch the movies; it’s all about shooting and chasing and doing all this stuff, but the real police work is communicating with the public, helping people who are having a bad day, helping them get through what their big problems are, and having some compassion and some empathy for people.”
He brought up how one duo led with compassion when responding to a scene where a man had threatened to take his own life, and they were able to talk him into willingly seeking help. Griffin pointed to the memo he was sent following that incident: “Despite the volatility and emotional intensity of the situation, both officers demonstrated exceptional professionalism, patience, and compassion.”
“It’s not all about arrests. It’s not all about giving out tickets. This is a big win… I think it’s a great example of the hard work that happens a lot out in the community that nobody ever hears about,” Griffin said.
Griffin complimented an officer who expertly applied a tourniquet to a woman’s leg, performing life-saving assistance and keeping her calm before she was air-lifted to Boston. He praised a group of officers for how they responded to a call involving domestic violence, and he applauded a large group who executed their roles perfectly in order to place a “violent fugitive” with at least eight warrants for his arrest in custody.
He also highlighted the dispatch team, which he noted is not often recognized for the great work they do, in one particular case where a woman was assaulted, and the man who assaulted her stole her rental vehicle, which had her 6-month-old baby in the back seat. The dispatch team was able to track the vehicle to near the Rhode Island border and return the baby back to the woman.
To wrap up the evening, Bettencourt brought it all back to the importance of family.
“As I mentioned, I come from a police family. I know it’s very difficult for all of you, and we’re very thankful that you let your loved ones serve our community, serve the city, serve the department,” Bettencourt said. “I know it’s always a team effort, and it’s because of you that they’re allowed and able to do that and provide the very best.”
