SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Police Department is holding a pinning ceremony in the auditorium of the Southwick Town Hall at 3 p.m. on Friday to recognize officers who have recently been promoted.
The officers being recognized are Kevin A. Bishop, Robert D. Landis, Paul A. Miles, Andrew J. Smith, and Michael J. Bridges.
Kevin A. Bishop, selected by the Select Board on January 2 to be the next Chief of Police, took over for former Chief David Ricardi on July 1. Ricardi had been Chief of Police since 2013 and officially retired on June 30.
Southwick Police Department. (WNG File Photo)
Robert D. Landis was promoted to Lieutenant, the position previously held by Bishop before his promotion to Chief. Landis was promoted from Detective Sergeant to Lieutenant on May 22.
On August 7, Paul A. Miles was given a promotion from patrol officer to patrol sergeant.
Just a few days prior to the promotion of Miles, on August 3, Andrew J. Smith, and Michael J. Bridges graduated from the Western Massachusetts Police Academy and became full-time officers in the department.
According to Bishop, shortly after he was promoted to Chief of Police he was approached by the Select Board to have a pinning ceremony for him. However, due to the additional promotions that followed his, the newly appointed chief wanted to have the ceremony for all of the officers that were promoted.
“It is my intention, with the support of the Select Board, that this will become the normal,” said Bishop. “I firmly believe that these are the types of things where officers should be recognized.”
Besides all officers being pinned, the Select Board will be making some remarks during the ceremony.
“We’re bringing people (officers) on to do a very difficult job and I think they should be recognized for their accomplishments,” said Select Board Vice-Chairman Russ Fox.
The ceremony is open to the public and Bishop encourages residents to attend.
“It’s also a time for the community to come and meet the newly promoted officers,” said Bishop.
There will also be light refreshments served for the event. For more information, contact the Select Board at 413-569-5995 or the Southwick Police Department at 413-569-5348.
