For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

47 New Officers Graduate from Northern Essex Community College Methuen Police Academy

Two Graduates Join Methuen Police Department

METHUEN — Mayor Steve Zanni and Chief Joseph Solomon are pleased to announce that 47 new officers graduated from the Northern Essex Community College (NECC)/Methuen Police Academy last week.

On Friday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m., 47 new officers from 24 local cities and towns graduated from the NECC/Methuen Police Academy. The ceremony took place at the NECC campus in Haverhill.

The 25-week academy is a combination of practical training, classroom training, certifications and service to the community. Classes include first aid and first responder training, law, applied patrol procedures, firearms training, report writing, active shooter training, an emergency vehicle operator course, a bike patrol course and defensive tactics.

Of the 47 graduates, two are now full-time Methuen police officers. Officer Joseph Alaimo and Officer Javier Reyes-Bustos both successfully completed the academy and will complete their field training for the next three months.

“We are proud to welcome these two new officers,” Chief Solomon said. “I am hopeful that they will both accomplish great things in their careers and will make a valuable addition to the Methuen Police Department.”

Officer Reyes-Bustos received the “Top Gun” award during graduation, which is given to the student officer who achieves the highest score in a gun range shooting competition.

During the badge pinning ceremony, Officer Alaimo was pinned by his father, Retired Methuen Deputy Police Chief Joseph Alaimo, who served the Methuen Police Department for 30 years.

“On behalf of the City of Methuen, I welcome Officer Alaimo and Officer Reyes-Bustos to their new roles with the police department,” Mayor Zanni said. “We are so proud of our law enforcement and first responders here in Methuen, and are confident that these two new officers will serve the community well.”

The Methuen Police Department also had two self-sponsored student officers graduate last Friday. Officer Richard A. Lipinski and Officer Roderick M. Wiggins are now police academy trained and seeking employment with local cities and towns.

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