SOUTHWICK – The retirement of Sgt. Donald Day after 26 years on the Southwick Police Department requires a position of patrol sergeant within the department to be filled.
At the end of Monday’s Select Board meeting at Southwick Town Hall, the Select Board made their decision to promote Officer Tom Krutka to the role of patrol sergeant. Krutka, along with three other finalists, was interviewed before the start of the Select Board meeting.
Before making the decision, the Select Board noted how tough it was choose between the four finalists and afterwards Krutka was grateful to have been selected for the position.
“I was very appreciative, all four of us were pretty equally qualified,” said Krutka. “I’m excited to take the next step.”
Shortly after The Westfield News reported that Krutka’s K-9 dog Jax was retiring after 10 years of service with the department, Sgt. Day announced he would be retiring which opened up an opportunity for Krutka.
Officer Tom Krutka was named a patrol sergeant for the police department at the Select Board meeting on Monday night. (WNG File Photo)
Having a strong passion for being a K-9 handler since 2007, Krutka’s focus wasn’t directed towards being a sergeant in the near future.
“Six months ago I never would have thought that I would have went (to apply) for sergeant,” said Krutka. “The timing just happened to be perfect.”
Krutka came to the Southwick Police Department as a reserve officer in June 2001. Then in January 2004, the officer was appointed full time, and worked the midnight shift. Krutka then moved to day shift a couple years later, before becoming the K-9 handler.
Chief David Ricardi has high praise for Krutka as a member of the department.
“At every stage that he has been with us, he has excelled,” said Ricardi. “He’s motivated and I think he’ll do a fine job, I expect big things out of him.”
“What has impressed me about Officer Krutka is his commitment to the community off the job,” added Lt. Kevin Bishop.
Kicking off his tenure as a patrol sergeant, Krutka will be doing split shifts as a patrol sergeant, handling his duties at night sometimes, and then in the early morning shift at other times.
