Police celebrate promotions, recruits

Date: 6/20/2014

WEST SPRINGFIELD – West Side celebrated the promotion of two police officers during a swearing in ceremony on June 17.
   
Jay Gearing and Brian Pomeroy officially entered the rank of sergeant on June 22. Each officer has a longevity with the department that surpasses 15 years. Gearing has most recently worked in the Police Department’s detective bureau and Pomeroy has served as a trainer of defensive tactics for both veteran officers and new recruits.
   
Family, fellow officers, town officials and members of the public attended the event, which took place in the auditorium of the Municipal Office Building, 26 Central St.
   
“When they start studying for these exams, everything [family events] goes out the window,” Police Chief Ronald Campurciani said. He thanked the sergeants’ families for their patience and support during the endeavor.
   
The chief noted it is important not to dismiss the officers’ efforts to earn the rank simply because there were two open spots and two subsequent candidates. Campurciani said the same amount of time and energy is spent in the testing and interview processes.
   
“These two guys are really, really, very good police officers in this town and we’re lucky to have them,” Campurciani said.
   
In addition to the promotions, there are a number of new recruits coming up the ranks. According to the chief, three will graduate from the Western Massachusetts Regional Policy Academy on June 27 and a fourth will graduate this fall from the Springfield Police Academy. Four recruits were hired last week and will begin training at the regional academy in August.