ROCKPORT — A new reserve officer will soon be making the rounds in Rockport.
Michael Padellaro was appointed to a reserve officer position by a 3-0 vote of the Select Board on Dec. 21. Select Board Chair Sarah Wilkinson and Vice Chair Ross Brackett were absent.
Chief John Horvath told the board Padellaro would attend the Lynnfield Police Academy, beginning in February, then return to the department for field training.
“If I was a betting man, I would bet that we would probably have a full-time opening by the time Mr. Padellaro hopefully graduates the academy if given that opportunity,” Horvath said. “We would consider him for that position at that time.”
Padellaro, who lives in Lawrence, has worked since 2017 as an ice hockey official for USA Hockey and from January to June last year worked a part-time internship in Somerville District Court’s Probation Department.
“I think the referee training may come in handy,” Select Board member Paul Murphy said of Padellaro’s experience.
Padellaro told board members he was inspired to begin a career in law enforcement after watching his father served as a court officer for about 20 years. In addition, his mother worked for the state’s Sex Offender Registry for a number of years.
“I spent a lot of time growing up around police departments and with police officers,” he said “I’ve grown to have a tremendous respect for what they do. As I’ve been growing on my own, I’ve just realized it’s all I’ve wanted to do. I wanted a career where I could, I think, do some good.”
Padellaro points to his experience in such areas as criminal court proceedings, trials, sentencing matters and probation sentences.
According to his LinkedIn profile, some of his duties have included conducting criminal interviews, preforming record checks and assisting probation officers during court proceedings.
“I love the idea of small town policing,” he said. “I recently moved to Lawrence, but I used to live in Hamilton and I knew a lot of the officers there quite well. There’s a lot of parental influence and now I couldn’t be more excited to join a career in law enforcement and really make an impact.”
Lt. Mike Marino said Padellaro will be a good candidate for the post.
“All the feedback I got regarding Michael was positive,” he said. “He’s a good candidate.”
Horvath said the formal start date for Padellaro will be in February, possibly by Feb. 12, and would last until sometime in mid-August.
Padellaro is pursuing a bachelor degree in criminal justice at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He holds an associate degree in liberal arts from North Shore Community College, which he earned in 2023.
Stephen Hagan may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or shagan@gloucestertimes.com.