Council to Consider Adding Sergeant to Haverhill Police Department

(File photograph)

Haverhill city councilors this week plan to consider adding to the police department ranks at the request of Michael S. McGonagle. (File photograph)

In the latest effort to keep crime in Haverhill at bay, city councilors Tuesday plan to consider adding a Sergeant to Chief Alan R. DeNaro’s Haverhill Police Department.

Councilor Michael S. McGonagle submitted a memorandum requesting the discussion, which is expected to include consideration of an additional motorcycle for the fleet.

In the last two years, eight officers were added to the department.

Mayor James J. Fiorentini’s public safety budget for the fiscal year that began last July originally included hiring another lieutenant and, after two May murders, he agreed with city councilors about also adding the sergeant and patrolman. “I have a crisis in the city right now with public safety. Any extra resources that come in will be allocated there,” the mayor explained during a school budget hearing.

The additional officers built on five patrolmen added to last year’s budget.

Haverhill Police have long advertised via social media the entry-level police officer exam scheduled to take place in March, with DeNaro telling WHAV retirements and lateral transfers of officers to other departments have made it tough to recruit.

As a public service 97.9 WHAV FM plans to carry Tuesday night’s City Council meeting live starting at 7 p.m. from the Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. Chambers, room 202 of City Hall.