For Immediate Release

Monday, July 10, 2017

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

Groveland Police Appoint First Female Detective Sergeant in History of Department

Additional Officers Sworn In, Promoted During Ceremony

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey Gillen is pleased to announce that the Board of Selectmen appointed several new officers and promoted additional members of the Groveland Police Department, including Heather Riley, who became the first female detective sergeant in the history of the department.

The Board of Selectmen swore in and promoted members of the Groveland Police Department during a ceremony on June 26.

“As my first appointments and promotions since taking over as Chief on July 1, I’m extremely happy to welcome our new officers to the Groveland Police Department and commend those who have moved up in the ranks,” Chief Gillen said. “We’re thrilled to have Detective Sgt. Riley step into her role as the first female supervisor in the history of this department. I know she will continue to be an asset to this department and a great leader.”

Detective Sgt. Riley, of Haverhill, has been with the Groveland Police Department for 10 years and has served as a detective for the last two. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Salem State University, and has extensive training in sexual assault and domestic violence investigations, and crime scene evidence recovery. She also has experience working as the department’s Elder Affairs Officer.  

Dwight McDonald, of Groveland, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In this role he serves as executive officer, where he is second in command under Chief Gillen. Lt. McDonald has been with the Groveland Police Department for 28 years and served as a sergeant for the last nine years. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College, has extensive leadership training and supervises the emergency communications center.  Lt. McDonald also served as the schools’ D.A.R.E. Officer for 12 years.

Eric Gorski, of Groveland, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He has been with the Groveland Police Department for 20 years. He first started as a reserve officer, a role he remained in for three years before becoming a full-time officer. Sgt. Gorski has a master’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College, and has training as a defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor and field training officer.

Adam Sanborn, of Bradford, became a full-time police officer after working as a reserve officer for the last three years. He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and graduated from the Northern Essex Community College-Methuen Police Department Academy.

Christopher L’Italien, of Georgetown, was appointed as a full-time police officer. He has been with the Groveland Police Department for two years as a reserve officer. Officer L’Italien has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and is scheduled to graduate from the Northern Essex Community College-Methuen Police Department Academy on July 14.

Emily Staton, of Haverhill, was appointed as a full-time dispatcher and as a reserve police officer. Officer Staton is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and has been a reserve dispatcher with the Groveland Police Department for six months.

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