SOUTHWICK – They arrived promptly with crew cuts, grey suits, and perfect posture, and they left as the newest members of the Town of Southwick’s Police Department.
Ross Hanke and Adam Roberts were both unanimously approved by Southwick Selectmen Russell Fox and Joseph Deedy, and Selectwoman Tracy Cesan at a meeting of the Board of Selectmen last night. Both had appeared before the board several times each in the past.
Assuming they both pass physical and psychological exams, Hanke and Roberts will now enter into the department’s in-house training program, where they will spend between four to eight months, according to Police Chief David Ricardi.
During the interviews, which occurred during open session of last night’s meeting, the two men impressed board members and the six or so townspeople in attendance.
Asked what role a college education plays in law enforcement, the two candidates came up with similar responses.
“It’s very important,” said Hanke. “When you’re well-educated, you have a better chance of being successful in the world.”
“Not only does it give you other common knowledge, but in law enforcement, it teaches you the background of the judicial process,” Roberts said.
The candidates were also asked whether or not police officers should be held to a higher standard of conduct when off-duty and they both answered in the affirmative.
“I worked for Sheriff (Michael) Ashe for seven years, and the way you present yourself on the outside is the way you represent yourself and the Sheriff,” Hanke said. “If you’re caught doing something you’re not supposed to do, and they (Sheriff’s Department) get a phone call saying ‘this is the kind of person you have working for you’… the way you present yourself is very important.”
“Whether you recognize someone on the street when you’re off-duty, more than likely they recognize you,” Roberts said. “And you have to set an example on and off the job.”
The two men were also questioned about their toughest challenges and how they dealt with them, which prompted Hanke to delve into handling a riot while with the Sheriff’s Department, while Roberts referred to relocating to Southwick for a job in 2008, only to experience great personal difficulties upon arrival.
The two candidates were also asked about the practice of community policing, which they both considered very important.
“I grew up in Southwick and had a lot of great mentors through the D.A.R.E. program,” Hanke said. “It’s very important to know your community and for them to trust you, to see that you’re loyal to your community and to trust you.”
“I believe it’s a big part in all law enforcement,” Roberts said. “Not only to enforce the law and to keep people safe, but to encourage the community to work with you and to get to know the businesses and individuals in the community.”
Following the interviews, board members asked Ricardi if he had any personal recommendation before they were to go into executive session, to which he said it wouldn’t be necessary.
“No reason for executive session. You saw both candidates. They were the cream of these last interviews we had,” Ricardi said. “These two individuals are very capable of doing the job. I would be honored to have them on the department and to train them to be the officers we like to see in Southwick.”
“Both candidates are solid,” Ricardi said this morning. “Hanke has worked in Ludlow’s House of Corrections for seven years now, and Roberts has worked with Granville’s Police Department.”
The Southwick Police Department now employs 17 full-time officers, including Chief Ricardi, as well as 13 part-time officers.
