Two new Saugus police officers begin duty

(Editor’s Note: The following story is based on a press release written by Mike Gaffney, Media Website Content Manager for the Town of Saugus.)

Town Manager Scott Crabtree and Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli this week welcomed the appointments of Brendan Grocki and Christopher Benoit to the Saugus Police Department. Both officers were sworn into the Saugus Police Department during a ceremony on Tuesday (July 30) at Saugus Town Hall. Family members, Saugus police officers and Town Hall staff gathered for the ceremony, applauding when Officer Grocki and Officer Benoit affirmed the oath of office to protect the town and its residents to the best of their abilities.

“I congratulate both officers and commend them for taking on a career in law enforcement to serve our community,” Town Manager Crabtree said. “They are great candidates as officers and I wish them all the success with the Saugus Police Department.”

A Saugus native, Officer Grocki graduated from Saugus High School in 2016. He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Norwich University and graduated from the Municipal Police Training Committee’s Lynnfield Police Academy on July 29.

Officer Grocki said he’s wanted to be a Saugus police officer for as long as he can remember. “Saugus is a big part of my life and I’m looking forward to help protect the town,” Officer Grocki said.

Officer Benoit joined Officer Grocki as one of the 74 police officers that make up the MPTC Lynnfield Police Academy’s 5th Recruit Officer Class. Each graduate successfully completed more than 20 weeks of intensive, standardized training in all aspects of law enforcement. A member of the Saugus High School Class of 2020, Officer Benoit earned an associate in science degree in criminal justice from North Shore Community College and is a few courses away from receiving a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Salem State University.

“I’m excited to do whatever I can to help out the community,” Officer Benoit said.

Chief Ricciardelli said he believes the newly appointed officers have the required skills to thrive with the Saugus Police Department. “These are two promising individuals who possess the education, experience, and most importantly, high character, to be excellent police officers,” Chief Ricciardelli said.

Town Manager Crabtree acknowledged Chief Ricciardelli and his team for vetting candidates to find the very best individuals to serve the town as police officers.