SOUTHWICK – The Select Board made a decision during Wednesday night’s meeting to name current Southwick Police Lt. Kevin Bishop the next Chief of Police in Southwick.
This move within the department is due to the current chief, David Ricardi, retiring this June, after being the Chief of Police since 2013.
Select Board Vice Chairman Joe Deedy made a motion to name Bishop the chief, which was then seconded by Clerk Russ Fox, but he also nominated Sgt. Det. Robert Landis. Chairman Doug Moglin then made the ultimate decision to select Bishop, as the required decision called for a two-thirds majority vote from the three Select Board members.
Being the current Lieutenant for more than four years and a member of the Southwick Police Department for 33 years, Bishop was in attendance to hear the decision. After the announcement was made, Bishop held back tears as he read a prepared statement in the lobby of the town hall.
“I am so motivated to continue to serve the citizens of Southwick and am honored to be in a position now to lead the truly professional officers that we have at the Southwick Police Department,” said Bishop.
The Select Board made a decision to name Lt. Kevin Bishop the next Chief of Police. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
The 58-year-old also mentioned what the community should expect from him as the Chief of Police.
“You will see an active police chief in this community,” said Bishop.
Bishop elaborated that he will constantly be out in town talking with folks and listening to their concerns.
The Westfield News was able to speak to the three members of the Select Board and get their input on the decision.
“It was probably the toughest decision I’ve made since I’ve been on the board,” said Moglin. “I think Lt. Bishop is going to make a great chief and I think he’s going to have a great supporting cast.”
The other three candidates, Landis, Sgt. Rhett Bannish, and Sgt. Kirk Sanders, who withdrew his name from the interview process in December, will all be under Bishop’s command.
“You need to be a big picture person and I think Lt. Bishop is that person and I think we’ll be just fine,” said Deedy.
Kevin Bishop is seen with his daughter, Jessica, and wife, Carol, after hearing that he’s been named the next Chief of Police. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
Fox, who has now been a part of the hiring process for three different police chief’s as a Select Board member, also believed that the decision was very difficult to make. During the vote, Fox abstained from voting.
“I abstained just out of respect of the other candidates,” said Fox as he noted that he knows all four candidates personally.
Fox did add that he congratulates Bishop for his accomplishment.
“I certainly wish anybody in that position the best of luck,” added Fox.
Right after it was official that the Select Board selected Bishop as the next chief, Deedy suggested that the board now look at hiring the next lieutenant as that position is now vacant. Although Deedy felt he was ready to make that decision right at the meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said that they first have to go through a contractual process before they can make any selection on the next lieutenant. All three candidates in Landis, Bannish, and Sanders are qualified for the lieutenant position.
