Above: Chief Ryan Newell introduces the two new student officers, Joseph Deluca, left, and Christopher Biondi. (Photo and caption courtesy Southborough Police Department)
Last night, the Select Board appointed two student officers to join the Southborough Police Department.
The pair of officers have strikingly different backgrounds. Joseph Deluca is the son of a longtime SPD member, who recently graduated from College. Christopher Biondi is a former scientist and member of the National Guard, who appears to be embarking on a second career.
They are scheduled to attend a Police Academy, starting next week.
Last night, they were sworn in after the Select Board welcomed them and confirmed their appointments.
During the discussion, Police Chief Ryan Newell confirmed that these appointments would fill all of the SPD’s current openings, increasing their “sworn number of officers to 23 with two more additional positions to fill in April of next year.”
During budget discussions leading up to Annual Town Meeting last spring, Newell had advocated for the ability to hire six more officers on top of filling several vacant positions. (This followed a staffing study that recommended adding at least 8 positions.)
The Select Board expressed skepticism that the Chief would be able to fill all of his positions. They compromised on asking voters to approve three positions phased in over the course of the fiscal year. (Advisory members debated the increase in staffing, but no one spoke against it at Town Meeting. Town Meeting voters approved the ask.)
Chief Newell had been more optimistic that changes the new Collective Bargaining Agreement approved at Town Meeting would increase his ability to quickly recruit new officers.
Here is the SPD’s press release announcing the new additions to their team:
Southborough Police Department Welcomes Two New Student Officers
SOUTHBOROUGH — Chief Ryan Newell is pleased to share that the Southborough Police Department has appointed two new student officers.
On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Southborough Select Board voted unanimously to appoint Joseph Deluca and Christopher Biondi as student officers, and they were sworn into their new positions. Both student officers will begin their training at the 36th Boylston Recruit Officer Course (ROC), located at the Municipal Police Training Committee’s (MPTC) Boylston Police Academy, on Aug. 25.
Deluca, a Holliston resident, holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Roger Williams University. He is the son of Sgt. James Deluca, who has served with the Southborough Police Department since 2003, and was promoted to sergeant in 2011.
Biondi, a Millbury resident, holds a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and chemistry from the University of New Haven, as well as a master’s degree in toxicology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He also serves in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
“We are proud to welcome these two promising new student officers to the Southborough Police Department,” said Chief Newell. “Both bring strong educational backgrounds and a passion for public service to their roles. We are eager to see them progress through the Academy and begin serving our community.”
