WESTFIELD- The Police Commission Monday promoted officers to sergeant and provisional lieutenant following a series of public interviews.
The commission first voted to promote a sergeant from a pool of three candidates, which were officers William Cavanaugh, Seth Florek, and Sean Smith. After the interviews, the commission chose to promote officer Florek to the rank of sergeant. Florek and his fellow candidates were asked just one question by commissioner Leonard Osowski. He asked them why they believe they would be the best fit to take the rank of sergeant.
Florek answered by citing his education and military experience. He has his Maste’rs degree and was a member of the Coast Guard’s law enforcement division for four years. In 2013, Florek suffered a back injury. He chose to do some research and found a load-bearing police vest that takes the weight of the heavy police vests off the officers backs. Florek presented the idea to Chief John Camerota and those vests are used today, saving the department possibly thousands of dollars, according to Florek.
Florek has been a member of the Westfield Police Department for 12 years on top of his four years in the Coast Guard.
“There’s no substitute for experience,” said Florek, “You need to have a supervisor that has the experience.”
Following the interviews, the commissioners deferred to Chief Camerota for his recommendation on who to promote. Camerota, who is retiring on Friday, chose to not comment, saying that it was time for him to take a step back and let the current leaders choose the future of the department. Capt. Michael McCabe, Lt. Jerome Pitoniak and Capt. Lawrence Valliere all recommended Florek as the best candidate. The commission followed suit, and voted for Florek’s promotion, which will be effective Aug. 1.
They had to choose between Sgt. Robert Saunders and Sgt. Jeffrey Baillargeon were the candidates for provisional lieutenant.. A third candidate withdrew prior to the meeting. Following the interviews, Baillargeon was promoted to the rank of provisional lieutenant.
Baillargeon said that he was the best candidate for the job because of his time as a training officer and supervisor to the Special Response Team. He said he began his career in 1986 when he joined the U.S. Army and did 10 years of active duty service. He has been with the Westfield Police Department since 1995.
“I’ve always placed this job and my responsibilities as a police officer ahead of my own personal needs, or sometimes even my family’s needs,” said Baillargeon, “That’s how I approach the job.”
The commission again deferred to the police officials in the room for recommendations on who to hire between the two. McCabe said that there is little doubt in his mind that Baillargeon would be the best person for the job.
“He undersells himself,” said McCabe.
Pitoniak and Valliere both gave the same recommendation. The commission voted for Baillargeon, effective June 22.
