Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD- The Police Commission met Monday evening to discuss several agenda items including the final shortlist for the soon to be vacant Chief’s position and the hiring of new reserve officers.
The city’s Police Commission meetings usually begin with a window for public participation. However, the commission believed the scheduled discussions to be important enough to waive public participation and move right to the main agenda. There was no objection from the audience.
The commission began with a finalized list of those who are seeking the position of Chief of Police. The beginning of Monday’s meeting was the deadline for those interested in the position to submit their resumes and letters of intent.
Westfield Police Lieutenant Eric Hall. (WNG file photo)
The list of those in consideration is down to five names: Captain Michael McCabe, Captain Lawrence Valliere, Lieutenant Eric Hall, Lieutenant Jerome Pitoniak, and Sergeant Jeffrey Baillargeon. The new Chief will replace current Police Chief John Camerota when he officially retires in June.
The commission then considered the resignations of officers Jeffrey Vigneault and Timothy Fanion. Both officers were granted 15 days leave to attend the Massachusetts State Police academy. Although the academy goes for 30 days, the commission granted them just 15 days due to the police staffing crisis. Commission Chair Karl Hupfer argued that, in his experience, if they got past those first 15 days they would likely finish the academy and end up resigning from the Westfield Police Department to join the state police. The commission approved both resignations and wished them both luck in their careers with the State Police.
Westfield Police Captain Lawrence Valliere. (WNG file photo)
Camerota updated the commission on the status of the school resource officers. The officers were removed from their normal posts at Westfield schools and placed in patrol shifts due to the staffing crisis. Camerota said that because many of the absent officers have returned to duty, all of the ctiy’s SROs are now back to their normal posts. Officers Zachary Demers and William Ullrich have returned to duty after being absent as well, according to Camerota.
“After a long absence, you know Zach was struck by a car on Springfield Road,” said Camerota, “He has returned to duty and we are very happy to see him back.”
Camerota added that Ullrich will be returning to his normal day shift.
The commission then voted Brian Kowal as a special police officer. Kowal had worked in the Public Safety Department of Westfield State University for 17 years.
Sgt Jeffrey Baillargeron
Five potential reserve officers were appointed during the meeting. There were six candidates that were interviewed by the commission and Chief Camerota: Nicholas Albert, Sean Kelly, Nathan Kantor, Nicholas Liberto, Lili Ulinici, and Ronald Spafford. The commission entered executive session for Spafford’s interview to discuss his background check.
Albert, Kelly, Kantor, Liberto, and Ulinici were selected by the commission as the five newest reserve officers for the Westfield Police Department. Each new officer highlighted
Lt. Jerome Pitoniak
their experiences and skills ranging from time in the Air National Guard to being quadrilingual. They all expressed interest in eventually becoming full time officers in Westfield.
