SOUTHWICK – The Select Board made a motion to appoint Robert Landis as the next Lieutenant of the Southwick Police Department during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Both Landis and Rhett Bannish interviewed for the vacant Lieutenant’s position. Bannish is currently a Sergeant for the police department.
Landis has served more than 20 years in the department, a majority of that time being a Sergeant. His current role is Detective Sergeant. While in the position of Detective Sergeant, Landis has built strong connections with organizations like the Massachusetts State Police, DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), FBI (Federal Bureau Investigation), and Homeland Security.
Robert Landis was promoted to Lieutenant of the Southwick Police Department on Tuesday night. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Select Board member Russ Fox pointed out when attempting to make a decision, that the relationships Landis has created with those organizations benefited him during the interview process.
“I think that gives him a little bit of an edge,” said Fox.
Landis is happy with the promotion and is looking forward to his new role.
“It’s certainly a new challenge in my career,” said Landis. “I’m looking forward to it.”
With the current Lieutenant, Kevin Bishop, being named the next Chief of Police back in January, Landis and Bishop have worked alongside each other over the years and it’s something Landis is eager to continue.
“Our compatibility goes a long way and I think it’s going to make the transition that much easier,” said Landis. “We’re just going to build on what the current chief (Dave Ricardi) has started.”
The Lieutenant position opened up after Bishop took the Chief’s position. The Chief of Police position was open when Chief David Ricardi announced his retirement, effective in June after serving that role since 2013.
