MONTAGUE — Four officers with the Montague Police Department are being promoted as the 10-month restructuring process hits a key milestone.
The promotions, which received unanimous support from the Selectboard on Monday, bring Detective Sgt. Joshua Hoffman to the rank of deputy chief and Sgt. Peter Lapachinski to the rank of lieutenant. Additionally, officers Cody Wells and Jacob Lapean are being promoted to patrol sergeants.
Police Chief Jason Haskins said he was “pretty excited” to share his recommended candidates with the Selectboard. Multiple screening committees — made up of Montague town officials, police from neighboring communities and citizens — interviewed and evaluated the candidates based on a scoring system to reach a final recommendation.
“I know there are quite a few people that were involved, and I appreciate all the effort that goes into talking with the officers and getting these promotions in order,” Selectboard Chair Richard Kuklewicz said.
Haskins also noted that the staff sergeant position was eliminated during the restructuring. James Deery, who was holding that position, is taking a reduction in hourly pay from $47.21 to $44.12, bringing him in line with what Wells and Lapean will be making in their new positions. All three will be patrol sergeants.
Haskins said the promotions are the culmination of 10 months of work to restructure the department, with a goal of modernizing its operations.
Prior to the restructure, Montague had no second-in-command, as the lieutenant position had been vacant for more than a year. The staff sergeant, who is supposed to oversee the patrol officers and patrol sergeants, was acting as a patrol sergeant.
With these positions filled, Hoffman, as deputy chief, will be in charge of overseeing the administrative command that will now include Lapachinski as lieutenant, the administrative assistant, detectives, dispatchers, the patrol K-9s and the school resource officers, according to Haskins’ restructuring presentation to the Selectboard from June.
As lieutenant, Lapachinski will be responsible for overseeing the operational command, including patrol sergeants and patrol officers, eliminating the need for the staff sergeant position. Lapachinski will also oversee community policing and community event planning, which is something he’s been working on with Haskins.
A formal ceremony is being planned to mark these promotions.
