Eight Springfield Police Officers Promoted

In front of a meeting room overflowing with family members, fellow police officers and fire fighters from Springfield and surrounding towns, eight township officers were promoted to new ranks this week.

With the promotions, the force has two Captains, three Lieutenants and nine Sergeants. The recent rising in ranks follows a  where nine officers got new titles, including John Cook, who became Captain and officer in charge of the department.  With the promotion of , the department was without captains until this week.

Pat Mclaughlin and James Fine were sworn in as the force’s new captains. Mike McNany became a Lieutenant and Judd Levenson, previously a Detective Sergeant, became a Detective Lieutenant. Jim Morton, Marty Costello, Detective Matthew Lynch and Kevin GilChrist were all promoted to Sergeant.

The position of Lieutenant is relatively new for the force, having been reinstituted in 2010 in a restructuring of the force that eliminated the position of Deputy Chief. Chief Cook said the former responsibilities of the Deputy Chief would be split between the captains.

The three Lieutenants, meanwhile, will each lead a different department, dividing up the administrative, detective and patrol divisions.

The force’s new structure is a contrast to its recent, chaotic past. and the , the Union County Prosecutor’s office and installed Union County Captain Karl Riley as Officer in Charge of the Department in 2010.

Chief Cook said the department was enthused about the new promotions.

“Morale is just tremendous,” Cook said. The new structure is going to be so much more efficient.”

Cook said that he is currently interviewing candidates to hire two new patrol officers, bringing up the force’s total roster up to 42. He emphasized that he had worked closely with Township Committee members to make sure the town could afford the new hires and promotions, saying that money would be freed up by a reduction in overtime and other sources of revenue.

Cook added that as a Springfield resident, he had a vested interest in having the force fulfill its potential.

“I’m proud of this town,” Cook said. “I live here and I want to bring it where it needs to be.”