Chicopee Police Department to hire 13 new officers to address significant staff shortage
Posted May 11, 2021
CHICOPEE – Faced with multiple retirements and vacancies on the Police Department, the city is working to hire 13 new police officers.
The department is significantly short personnel. There are currently 90 patrol officers on staff and city regulations allow up to 120 on the force, Police Lt. Holly Davis said.
“The shortage is not causing any safety issues,” she said. “We are filling all of our beats and units.”
The fact that the police department is allowed 120 officers makes the shortage looks worse than it is, since the force is rarely expected to be that large. The complement of patrol officers was increased several years ago to allow candidates to be hired in anticipation of senior officers retiring so the two can overlap while the new officers are in training.
Chicopee Police Chief William Jebb to step down March 26, announces retirement after 34-year career
Updated Feb 19, 2021;
Posted Feb 19, 2021
Chicopee Police Chief William Jebb announced he is stepping down on March 26, ending a 34 year career. Photo provided by Chicopee Police.
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CHICOPEE - Police Chief William Jebb announced Friday that he intends to step down from his post to concentrate on his health, ending his 34-year-career with the Chicopee Police Department.
Jebb announced his last day will be March 26, and at that point Deputy Chief Lonny Dakin will assume command of the department.
Officially, Jebb will be taking medical leave pending approval of his retirement by the state Retirement Board.