Police Chief Ruben Quesada recognized four newly sworn-in Swampscott police officers and two newly promoted lieutenants during Tuesday’s Select Board meeting.
Officers Nathaniel Espinal, Stephen Coughlin, Kevin Kaufman and Samantha Holey recently joined the department, while Lt. Brendan Reen and Lt. Steve Luck were promoted. Family members and friends were also present to celebrate.
“Today is not merely ceremonial but it is a broader commitment to the safety and well-being of the future of Swampscott,” Quesada said. “To our newly installed officers…know that you carry the hopes, the respect and the full backing of our entire town.
Quesada highlighted each officer and lieutenant, sharing details about their backgrounds and commitment to serving the town. He began by recognizing Reen, a 20-year veteran of the department.
“He is a recipient of over 49 commendations, one including a life saving award,” Quesada said. “He’s a police academy instructor, field training officer, public information officer, assistant harbormaster and all around great guy.”
Luck, a 24-year veteran of the department, was also recognized for his promotion.
“He has over 56 commendations in his career,” Quesada said. “He is my go to special events coordinator and incident commander during special events. He’s our field training program coordinator, mental health task force committee member and all around steady, reliable and the most trusted and respected individual in our department.”
Coughlin was the Swampscott Police Department’s “first-ever out of state lateral police officer from the Houston Police Department,” according to Quesada. He originally grew up in Malden and went to Salem State University. Coughlin will complete his field training program this week, Quesada said.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have him,” Quesada said.
Espinal, who is originally from Lynn, “previously worked in a family automotive business and volunteers much of his time within a religious congregation,” Quesada said. He recently graduated from the police academy and is currently in the Swampscott Police Department’s field training program.
Holey is also originally from Lynn, and “she has a proud history of police officers in her family and is following in their footsteps,” Quesada said.
“We know that she will bring much value to our police department,” Quesada said.
Kauffman graduated from the academy in mid-April. Before joining the department, Kaufman worked for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
“He has graduated from the field training program and is out and about patrolling our streets now,” Quesada said. “If you see a young kid — good looking, dapper, young man in uniform with a great smile – you know that’s him.”
Quesada thanked the town administration and Select Board for allowing the department not only to fill the vacancies but also to “pick the best possible people to serve our community.”
“Whether you are newly entering this profession or taking on even greater responsibilities in the department, it requires immense courage, resilience and a profound sense of duty. The badge and the patch we wear is a symbol entrusted upon us to stand as guards and protectors with an unwavering amount of integrity, character and commitment not only to this badge but most importantly our community,” Quesada said. “Remember a community can only thrive when it feels safe and only when it deeply trusts those who are sworn to protect it.”
