Bedford Police Swear In Three New Probation Officers

BEDFORD, NH — Bedford Police Chief John J. Bryfonski swore in three new Probationary Police
Officers during a swearing in ceremony held Wednesday. Michael Heikkila, Jeffrey Drew and Joseph Palmariello successful completed the department's recruitment and background investigation process.

"I am happy to welcome each of these candidates as probationary police officers in the Bedford Police Department," Bryfonski said. "These officers represent the future of our department and each possesses a wealth of background and experience that will help them best serve the Bedford community."

Officer Heikkila comes to Bedford from the Temple/Greenvile Police Department where he served as a part-time and full-time officer for more than three years. He is a graduate of the 172nd session of the New Hampshire Police Academy and 271st session of the New Hampshire Police Academy for part-time officers. He earned an associate's degree in criminal justice from NHTI and is working toward his bachelor's degree at Plymouth State.

Officer Drew comes to Bedford from the Portland, Maine Police Department, where he had been a full-time officer since last August. He graduated from the 35th session of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 2007 until he was honorably discharged in 2011 where he served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned a bachelor's degree in homeland security from Daniel Webster College.

Officer Palmariello comes to Bedford from the Plymouth State Police Department where he served as a full-time officer since 2015. He graduated from the 168th session of the New Hampshire Police Academy in 2015. He earned his bachelor's degree majoring in criminal justice and with minors in psychology and pre-law in 2013. He also served in the U.S. Army/Army Reserves in Medical Services with tours of duty in Kuwait and Iraq.