VIDEO: New Officers Officially Join the Newton Force

Four new officers took their oaths Friday morning as the Newton Police Department officially welcomed them to the force.

The new recruits -- Brandon Knox, Robert March, Christopher Boudreau and Keleigh Donahue -- were sworn in by Mayor Setti Warren and honored during an official pinning ceremony. 

The "rookies" -- as they were affectionately called by Chief Cummings -- completed their MBTA Police Academy training earlier in the week as part of the 27th Municipal Police Officers' Class.

To learn more about each of the recruits, check out their biographies below as provided by the :

Officer Brandon M. Knox
Officer Brandon Knox was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. His parents, Gary and Yvonne Knox, raised him in the town of Brookfield. Officer Knox graduated in 2003 from the Tantasqua Regional High School in Fiskdale, MA. He also worked as a high school intern with the Sturbridge Police Department. After graduating from high school he attended Westfield State University where he graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and a minor in criminal justice and math. Upon completing his studies at Westfield State he relocated to the Boston area where he took up residence in Newton. For the past four years Officer Knox worked for MEDITECH in Framingham, and in May of this year he was selected to attend the 27th MPOC of the MBTA Transit Police Academy.

Officer Brandon Knox’s police badge was pinned by his mother, Yvonne Knox.

Officer Robert A. March
Officer Robert March was born and raised in Newton. He graduated from Newton North High School in 2003. Officer March became a member of the Newton Police Explorers Post 300 when he was fifteen. He remained an Explorer Post member for six years and he is currently a post advisor. In February of 2005 he began his employment here as an emergency telecommunications dispatcher in the Newton Dispatch Center where he has worked for the past six years. Officer March joins a long line of family police officers including his uncle, grandfather and great grandfather.

Officer Robert March’s police badge was pinned by his grandfather, retired Newton Police Officer Allan Ciccone Sr., and his mother, Newton Dispatch Center Supervisor Margie Ciccone.

Officer Christopher J. Boudreau
Officer Christopher Boudreau is a lifelong resident of Newton. In 2006 he graduated from Newton North High School where he played hockey and lacrosse. He later received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and minored in political science at the University of Massachusetts, where he graduated in 2010. Officer Christopher Boudreau continues a family tradition of Newton Police officers, including his grandfather, retired Captain Walter Drew; his father, Captain Edward Boudreau; his uncle, Lieutenant Alfred Boudreau; his two brothers, Officers Michael and Jeffrey Boudreau, and his sister-in-law, Officer Kim Boudreau. Prior to becoming a police officer Christopher worked for the Boston Red Sox as a grounds crewmember.

Officer Christopher Boudreau’s police badge was pinned by his parents, Captain Edward Boudreau and Rose Boudreau.

Officer Keleigh N. Donahue
Officer Keleigh Donahue was born and raised in Newton. She graduated from Newton North High School in 2005. In September of 2006 she began her employment here as an emergency telecommunications dispatcher in the Newton Dispatch Center. Officer Donahue remained in the Dispatch Center until her appointment as a full-time police officer in May of this year. While assigned to the 27th MPOC of the MBTA Transit Police Academy she was honored to serve as a squad leader. Officer Donahue now looks forward to a long and productive career with the city of Newton.

Officer Keleigh Donahue’s police badge was pinned by her parents, David and Gloria Donahue.