Federal agent is next chief in Southwick
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
By TED LaBORDE
[email protected]
SOUTHWICK - The Board of Selectmen selected U.S. Secret Service agent and former Southwick police officer John J. Mazza as chief of police last night, contingent upon contract negotiations.
Mazza, a police officer here for 11 years before leaving in 2000 to join the Secret Service, succeeds Henry F. Labombard, who is scheduled to retire at the end of the month.
The unanimous appointment did not sit well with department members, nor Labombard.
"Mazza is an excellent candidate," Labombard said. "But I think the selectmen made a mistake." The local police union and Labombard supported newly appointed Lt. David A. Ricardi. The union sent a letter outlining its endorsement of Ricardi to selectmen last month.
Mazza said last night he is honored by the appointment. "I will do my best to serve the town well and carry on the accomplishments of the chiefs before me," he said in a telephone interview. Labombard said during the search process that promotions from within are important to small police departments like Southwick's.
"Ricardi is dedicated to Southwick and the Police Department," Labombard said. "This is a slap in the face and it will hurt morale. The selectmen did not act in the best interest of the department nor the town. They made a bad decision."
Union representatives indicated that a statement on Mazza's appointment will be forthcoming. They said a general membership meeting will be called before the statement is issued.
Selectmen David A. St. Pierre, Fred B. Arnold and Arthur Pinell said their decision was a tough one, but each agreed that Mazza's experience led to their choice.
"We struggled," said St. Pierre, the selectmen chairman. "It was the outside experience. The board felt it was important to bring outside experience into the department."
Pinell said that in addition to the interview process, selectmen "reviewed thousands of pages of reference and recommendation letters. All candidates were qualified but because of the needs of the town Mazza was the best fit."
Retired Lt. Robert Laughlin charged the decision "is based on friendships, not qualifications. Mazza has no management skills."
Ricardi was appointed lieutenant in April to succeed Laughlin, who retired in December. Mazza, Ricardi and Wilbraham Sgt. Mark J. Krynicki, a former Vermont State Police officer, were selected as finalists for the job and interviewed two weeks ago. Mazza's appointment is subject to a physical examination, successful salary negotiations and a one-year probation period. The posted salary range for the new chief is $77,000 to $85,000.
I know John. I have worked with him at the olympics and back in MA. He was the perfect choice for the job and I know a lot of peple are going to be happy with the progressive changes he will make.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
By TED LaBORDE
[email protected]
SOUTHWICK - The Board of Selectmen selected U.S. Secret Service agent and former Southwick police officer John J. Mazza as chief of police last night, contingent upon contract negotiations.
Mazza, a police officer here for 11 years before leaving in 2000 to join the Secret Service, succeeds Henry F. Labombard, who is scheduled to retire at the end of the month.
The unanimous appointment did not sit well with department members, nor Labombard.
"Mazza is an excellent candidate," Labombard said. "But I think the selectmen made a mistake." The local police union and Labombard supported newly appointed Lt. David A. Ricardi. The union sent a letter outlining its endorsement of Ricardi to selectmen last month.
Mazza said last night he is honored by the appointment. "I will do my best to serve the town well and carry on the accomplishments of the chiefs before me," he said in a telephone interview. Labombard said during the search process that promotions from within are important to small police departments like Southwick's.
"Ricardi is dedicated to Southwick and the Police Department," Labombard said. "This is a slap in the face and it will hurt morale. The selectmen did not act in the best interest of the department nor the town. They made a bad decision."
Union representatives indicated that a statement on Mazza's appointment will be forthcoming. They said a general membership meeting will be called before the statement is issued.
Selectmen David A. St. Pierre, Fred B. Arnold and Arthur Pinell said their decision was a tough one, but each agreed that Mazza's experience led to their choice.
"We struggled," said St. Pierre, the selectmen chairman. "It was the outside experience. The board felt it was important to bring outside experience into the department."
Pinell said that in addition to the interview process, selectmen "reviewed thousands of pages of reference and recommendation letters. All candidates were qualified but because of the needs of the town Mazza was the best fit."
Retired Lt. Robert Laughlin charged the decision "is based on friendships, not qualifications. Mazza has no management skills."
Ricardi was appointed lieutenant in April to succeed Laughlin, who retired in December. Mazza, Ricardi and Wilbraham Sgt. Mark J. Krynicki, a former Vermont State Police officer, were selected as finalists for the job and interviewed two weeks ago. Mazza's appointment is subject to a physical examination, successful salary negotiations and a one-year probation period. The posted salary range for the new chief is $77,000 to $85,000.
I know John. I have worked with him at the olympics and back in MA. He was the perfect choice for the job and I know a lot of peple are going to be happy with the progressive changes he will make.
