Six Burlington Police Officers Promoted

A large crowd gathered in the hearing room Monday night for the Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The people weren't there to argue over any issues; instead they turned up to honor those who tirelessly work to protect the community and its residents.

At the meeting six members of the were formally promoted to new positions. They were supported by fellow officers who stood around the room in a ring and family members and friends who filled the seating area.

Town Administrator Robert Mercier explained the promotions came after the retirement of two long-term and respected members of the department. Captain Carl Boutwell and Caption George Devlin both recently retired after years of service.

“Both these consummate professionals have my deepest respect and admiration for their commitment to the community, their loyalty to the profession and their support of this administration through the years,” he said.

Mercier said that the retirements created an opportunity in the department for internal promotions and he, Police Chief and Burlington Human Resources Director Joanne Faust began interviewing candidates for two captain positions, two lieutenant positions and two sergeant positions. Many members of the department applied, he said, and the decision was a tough one.

“The Town of Burlington should be proud of the caliber of professionalism exhibited by our officers,” he said. “All the officers were articulate in their presentations and answered questions posed as well as any group I have interviewed in Burlington … We are truly fortunate to have these talented individuals as members of our department.”

Kent agreed the decision was a difficult one and that every officer who applied was an important part of the department. 

“This is a tremendous group being promoted,” he said.

“I think you are looking at the future of the Burlington police and it is bright,” Kent added, including all of the officers in the room, and in the department, with his words. “I feel very fortunate to be the chief of this department.”

Officers promoted shown with new rank along with bios from the Burlington Police Department:

 Captain Thomas Duffy

Captain Duffy is a 25-year veteran of the department and has been a Lieutenant since Feb. 2003. Duffy is the commander of NEMLEC School Threat Assessment and Response System.

Captain Duffy has an undergraduate degree from UMass Lowell and a graduate degree from Western New England College.

Captain Gregory Skehan

Captain Skehan has been employed by the department for 14 years and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2007. In that position he was officer in charge of the 12 – 8 a.m. shift. Skehan also oversees the department information/technologies unit and is a department liaison to the .

Captain Skehan has a bachelor’s degree from UMass Lowell and a Master’s Degree from Western New England College.

Lieutenant Glen Mills

Lt. Mills has been with the department since 1996. He has been a sergeant since 2001, serving as a command officer on several shifts. Lt. Mills is currently the president of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts. He is also a certified R.A.D (rape aggression defense) instructor.

Lt. Mills has a bachelor’s degree from Western New England College.

 Lieutenant Robert Kirchner

Lt. Kirchner has been with the department since 1989. He was promoted to sergeant in 2002 and in the capacity worked various shifts as a command officer. He is currently in charge of the department sex offender registry.

Lt. Kirchner has a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and a Master’s from Western New England College.

 Sergeant Timothy Kirchner

Sgt. Kirchner is an 18-year veteran of the department and has worked various shifts in his time on the force. He has been to many specialized training courses in his career as a police officer. He was also a member of the Army National Guard in the early 1980’s.

Sergeant Daniel Hanafin

Sgt. Hanafin has been with the Burlington Police Department since Dec. 2005. He is a state certified firearms and defensive tactics instructor. Prior to coming to the department Sgt. Hanafin worked in management in the private sector. 

St. Hanafin has a bachelor’s from Boston University and is currently working towards a Master’s degree at Anna Maria College.

Click on the pictures at the right to see the officers with Chief Kent. There is also a video of the promotions from the meeting and words from town leaders on this proud day. If anyone has pictures from the promotion ceremony or the family reception that followed, please send them to Richard.Hosford@Patch.com and I will add them.

We also have a video and article in the works on the retiring officers. Check back soon.

Burlington Patch would like to congratulate all the officers for achieving their new positions and to say thanks to everyone in the Burlington Police Department for their service to the community.