Needham Police Promote New Sergeant, First Female Lieutenant

NEEDHAM, MA — Needham now has their first police lieutenant in department history along with a new sergeant.

Last week, Police Chief John Schlittler presented Lt. Belinda Carroll and Sgt. John McGrath to the selectmen. The two were recently promoted to their new positions.

Carroll started in Needham in 2001 and was promoted to sergeant in 2005, becoming the first female in the Needham Police Department to do so. She earned her undergraduate degree from Curry College and has a master's degree from Westfield State University. She is very active in the community and lives in Needham, Schlittler said.

McGrath, a Needham native, started his career in Brookline in 2005 before coming to Needham in 2006 as an officer. He has been commended and recognized many times for his work and serves as a member of the honor guard. He attended Providence College and earned his master's degree from Westfield State University.

"The work that you do isn’t easy but the force that we have is a good one. As the chief said you worked your way up the fact that you have his confidence means a lot. It’s a good force and it’s one of the things that helps the town be a good place,” Selectman Daniel Matthews said.

Image: Patch Staff