Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 6/25/2021
SOUTHWICK – After nearly four decades on the job, Police Chief Kevin A. Bishop is retiring at the end of the month.
A year of travel is his first retirement plan. His second is likely volunteering in town and doing what he loves – police work.
“I was approved as a reserve officer,” Bishop said, noting he just can’t stay away. “But first Mrs. Bishop and I will travel for a while.”
A 1978 graduate of Southwick High School, Bishop is the definition of a townie in the best way possible. Simply put, he loves Southwick.
This love is evident in Bishop’s approach to policing. When he joined the force as a reserve in 1983, then full time in 1984, he was working at Scibelli’s Mobil.
“I got to know a lot of the officers because back then we supplied gas for the cruisers,” Bishop recalled. “They’re the ones who got me interested in police work.”
Bishop saw it as a way to connect even more with his fellow residents, but after three years on the force, he left because he did not feel that connection. He spent three years working for Southwick’s Highway Division when former Chief Henry LaBombard called him.
“He reached out to me to come back with an emphasis on community,” Bishop said.
He said yes and dove right into the DARE program in Southwick’s schools, which he taught for 10 years. Bishop said connecting with students and their parents was exactly what he thought police officers in a small town should do.
Bishop moved up through the ranks and three years ago was promoted to chief. Now, Lt. Robert Landis will be the next chief, and Bishop couldn’t be happier
“I 100 percent support the Select Board’s decision,” he said of incoming Chief Landis.
He and Landis have worked together for years and Bishop has been sharing with Landis what he feels he needs to know to be the next chief. At the top of the list is continuing community outreach.
“I don’t like the term ‘community policing’ because I feel if a police officer is doing the job, they are doing community policing,” Bishop said.
Southwick Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart worked with Bishop most of his time on the force and said “Kevin will be missed greatly. I have had the honor of working with him over the last 30 plus years and observed many important qualities firsthand.
“He has demonstrated good leadership and worked well as a team member with all town departments. He had passion for police work and serving the community at large.”
That dedication has not gone unnoticed, especially by the young people in town. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop reached out to all residents, particularly the students in town who he said faced and overcame many challenges. In 2020, Bishop organized a Class of 2020 “Drive Around,” which was a 40-mile drive through the towns of the regional school district. He encouraged residents and businesses along the route to decorate their lawns and storefronts and cheer on the graduates. This year, he organized the event again for the Class of 2021.
What he didn’t know was that the class wanted to honor Bishop for all his support – which included several public letters to students – and they organized a standing ovation at the Drive Around and wrote “Thanks Chief Bishop” in colorful cups on the fence at the front of the school campus.
“That was one of the most memorable moments of my career,” Bishop said. “It really meant something to me.”
Bishop admitted he teared up and said he would always treasure that moment.
One of Bishop’s most difficult days on the job started out as a beautiful October day. He said it was a perfect fall day until he received a call about a car crash involving two teenaged drivers.
Sadly, both teens died that day and Bishop had to tell two sets of families that their young loved ones had died. Recalling that day now, several years later, is still very emotional for Bishop, who choked back tears as he relived that day. “Seconds can change things,” he said. “I changed two worlds that day.”
He said it will always stay with him and has helped shape his best advice to everyone: Life changes in a second so be kind to people every day.
Bishop said he is confident in the future of the Southwick Police Department with Landis at the helm. He reflected on the changes over the years and said the population of Southwick was one of the biggest changes. As the town grew, so did the police force, which currently has 18 full time officers and nine reserves.
With many communities divided against the police, Southwick, said Bishop, has been supportive of its police.
“I want to thank the Select Board and the community for supporting the Southwick Police Department and I hope that continues,” he said.
While Bishop said he will miss his daily interactions with the police and dispatchers and the community, he is looking forward to retiring and spending time enjoying traveling with his wife Carol and their dogs as well as spending time with their daughter Jess and her wife Michelle.
“I look forward to seeing places I’ve never seen and seeing friends and family,” he said.
Bishop was feted June 21 with a retirement party at Roma Restaurant – which he said he chose because of the support Roma gives to the community.