Coppolella new sergeant in town

Newton - Police Chief John Tomasula announces the promotion of Officer Dean Coppolella to the rank of Sergeant. Sgt. Coppolella began employment with the department in January 1997 and was assigned to regular patrol duties. In June of 2000, he was given the opportunity to serve as the town’s first traffic officer. In the six years since he has served in the department, he applied for and received, on behalf of the town , $95,000.00 in special grants to promote and conduct programs such as: child passenger safety, bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, click or ticket, seat belt awareness, aggressive driving, you drink you drive you lose, and drunk driving enforcement. The grant’s funds included the acquisition of a 12-foot trailer used to promote child safety in vehicles and has been used in other municipalities in the county, installing over 1,100 car seats. Sgt. Coppolella will be assigned as a patrol shift supervisor. He is replacing Sgt. Leo Beshada, who is retiring after 25 years of service on Aug. 1.