MONTAGUE — Acting Sgt. John Dempsey is now a permanent sergeant.
The Montague Selectboard unanimously approved appointing Dempsey to permanently fill the position after he was ranked first on the Assessment Center Test.
Dempsey, Detective Peter Lapachinski and Officer Jacob Lapean went through the assessment center in March. Lapean and Lapachinski tied for second in the Assessment Center Test.
There will be a pinning ceremony for Dempsey tonight, 6 p.m. at the Police Department.
Dempsey is the second-most tenured officer on the Montague Police Department, the first being Chief Chris Williams.
The permanent sergeant spent four years in the Air Force working with explosive detection dogs and the past 22 years in Montague. He’s handled K-9 dogs as well, until last summer when his dog, K-9 Sunny, retired.
Dempsey said the reason he wanted the position because he saw as an opportunity for the department.
“When I started at the department, I looked up to a couple of guys on the force,” Dempsey said. “I want to help the younger guys out — we have a fairly young department with a lot of new hires and this is an opportunity for me to pass on my knowledge.”
Dempsey said he also brings knowledge of multiple positions in the department to the table as well.
“I’ve done just about every job, from K-9 officer to detective,” Dempsey said. “So I have a broad knowledge. I’ve also been in Turners for over 20 years and I’m close with the community.”
Above all else, Dempsey said he strives to “do the best for the organization and the community I serve.”
On Monday, Chief Williams told the Selectboard there will be some more changes for the department coming in the next few months.
Williams said Dempsey will be going to sergeant school in the first week of June.
A new narcotics detective will be appointed in the next two weeks.
Detective Lapachinski is stepping down July 1, so a new detective will be appointed around that time, Williams said. Officer Cody Wells will be going to the police academy June 10.
Reach Melina Bourdeau at mbourdeau@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ext. 263.