For Immediate Release

Monday, March. 11, 2019

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

Burlington Police Department Appoints Two New Officers

BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent is pleased to announce that two new Burlington Police officers were appointed at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

Officers Jacob DeSantis and Renoel Amogawin Jr. were appointed by Town Administrator Paul Sagarino at a Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, March 11 at Town Hall.

Officer DeSantis is a Burlington resident. He graduated from Burlington High School in 2014, and went on to attend the United States Army School of Engineers in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

DeSantis served in the Army for four years, where he worked as an engineer technical supervisor. His responsibilities included holding multiple leadership positions, demonstrating proper handling of sensitive demolition and ammunition, supervising the construction of government offices in multiple countries, educating and training team members to be technically proficient in all tasks, and he received multiple awards during his service for leadership and good conduct.

Officer Amogawin Jr. is also a Burlington resident, and graduated with a master of arts degree in security studies with a concentration in homeland defense from the University of Massachsetts-Lowell in 2017. The previous year, he obtained a bachelor of science degree in criminal science, with a concentration in homeland security from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. He is also a Burlington High School alumni.

Since 2017, Officer Amogawin has worked as a background investigator for Claims Bureau USA in Woburn. He also previously worked as direct care staff at the North American Family Institute – Lakeside Detention in Stoneham from 2016 to 2017, and was a research assistant at the Center of Terrorism and Security Studies in Lowell between 2016-2017.

“Officers DeSantis and Amogawin have extraordinary backgrounds, and a range of notable skill sets, certifications and areas of expertise that will serve our department well,” Chief Kent said. “It’s a pleasure to see these Burlington natives come back to their hometown after serving their country and pursuing higher education, all in the name of protecting the public.”

Both Officers DeSantis and Amogawin will attend the 26-week police academy beginning in May. After graduating from the program, they will enroll in a 12-week field training program. Upon successful completion of these programs, both officers will be sworn as officers and put on patrol for the Burlington Police Department.

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