Coventry PD Promotes Five Officers, Swears In Three New Hires
The officers were recognized at a ceremony during Monday night's Town Council meeting.
Monday evening's Coventry Police Department promotions were as follows:
- Promoted to Captain in the position of Patrol Commander, Lt. John MacDonald. Lt. MacDonald was unable to attend Monday night as he is currently serving overseas with the Rhode Island Air Guard. Lt. MacDonald is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot and holds the rank of Major in the Air Guard. He will be sworn in as Captain upon his return.
Promoted to Lieutenant:
- Lt. Peter J. Zalabowski, who will serve at the day shift commander
- Lt. Dennis P. Skorski Jr. who will serve as the midnight shift commander
Promoted to Sergeant:
- Sergeant Benjamin H. Witt, who will be assigned to the night shift 4 p.m. – midnight
- Sergeant Randy D. Polion, also assigned to the night shift 4- p.m. – midnight.
Also introduced during the ceremony were the Department's three new hires:
- Officer Robert J. DiCarlo - recently retired from the West Warwick Police Department with 20 years of service.
- Officer Jason R. Jordan - recently resigned from the Central Falls Police Department with over 10 years of service.
- Officer James J. Poccia Sr. - recently retired from the East Greenwich Police Department with over 21 years of service.
Coventry Patch would like to congratulate the officers for achieving their new positions and thank the Coventry Police Department for its service to the community.
Stephan
7:29 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Are the (3) new hires, (2) of which are already retired from other forces able to double dip on pensions? Have we learned nothing?
sissy
8:56 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Coventry is not in the public pension system
coventry voter-Jay
12:23 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Mark,
Most police officers who retire do seek further employment. It is very common for those in that 38-45 year old bracket to continue in LE in some form or another. They are not double dipping into our pension system but they may be collection from the dept they retired from…..SO?
.
There is an upside for Coventry that to me way out weighs the pension issue. No police academy costs to the town as these officers are already certified. Very little OJT will be required to get them on patrol. And they bring a 20year career of experience and training with them that our PD will benefit from. Hopefully they get healthcare from their previous employers and that will save us $$ as well.
Well done to our Chief for the insight to hire these trained officers,
And congratulations to Capt. MacDonald
God Speed on your return from defending our great nation