CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Thursday, 15 police officers and 18 firefighters were sworn-in in Chicopee. The ceremony was held at the auditorium of Chicopee High School. The recruits will now undergo training to prepare them to work on their respective forces. Report by Dan Elias, WWLP
CHICOPEE - Fifteen new police officers and 15 new firefighters were sworn in today in an historic ceremony at the new Chicopee High School auditorium.
"This is a spectacular day for the city of Chicopee," Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette said.
While other communities are facing financial woes, are overrun with gangs, arson and crime which affect quality of life, "not in Chicopee," the mayor said.
"Today we renew our commitment to public safety in this city," knowing that Chicopee is "a good place to live, raise families and build a future.
"They are our future," said Bissonnette referring to the new recruits.
"They will have your lives in their hands. This truly is a team effort," the mayor said noting the dangerousness of being a police officer or a firefighter.
Whether the new recruits are called to a dead body or a domestic disturbance, they face a difficult job and have joined "a fraternity for life," the mayor said.
"I expect you to live up to that oath every time you put on that uniform," said Bissonnette, adding that the selection "was not an easy process."
Police Chief John R. Ferraro Jr. congratulated all the new public safety officers and personally thanked the mayor for his "commitment to public safety. Mayor Mike gets it."
The chief said when businesses are looking to move into the city they ask how "safe is your community before they make the investment" and the answer is very safe in Chicopee.
Ferraro thanked all those who worked behind the scene including staff in the mayor's office, Human Resources Department and both police and fire departments.
The new police officers will join 32 new Springfield police officers in a 22-week joint training academy at Westover Air Reserve Base - also a first for both cities.
"This is an exciting day for the recruits and their families and the city of Chicopee," Fire Chief Stephen S. Burkott said.
Burkott thanked the mayor for appointing the new firefighters representing the largest public safety classes in 30 years. He said that the new fire recruits will now embark on 12 weeks of training.
The recruits marched in from either side of the auditorium and were sworn in by City Clerk Keith W. Rattell with families and friends loudly applauding and snapping pictures of their loved ones.
When new fire recruit Michael C. Cross had his badge pinned on, it was by his brother, Chicopee Fire Department Capt. Matthew M. Cross.
"I'm extremely excited today" to join the Fire Department, said Michael Cross after the ceremony.
ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops
About MassCops, the home for Massachusetts law enforcement.
The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network opened in 1998 and is now a part of the New England Police Network The site is a pro-police discussion forum intended for sworn police officers and civilian law enforcement officials as well as those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement here in Massachusetts.
The goal of The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network is to provide an informal network of law enforcement officials here in Massachusetts for educational and informational purposes.
The forum covers many topics such as Police Related News Articles, Agency & Profession Discussions, Police Training as well as Law Enforcement Career Information.
The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network and The New England Police Network (NEPN) and it's network sites are privately owned websites/domains and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government association or agency.
MassCops (masscops.com) and (masscop.com) are privately owned are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Massachusetts Coalition of Police (masscop.org)
ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops