Three officers of the Westford Police Department were promoted on Monday following the retirement of Captain Victor Neal last Friday.
“The Westford Police Department is proud to announce the promotions of Lieutenant Brandon Holmes, Captain James Peloquin and Sergeant Timothy Hughes,” the WPD announced via Facebook earlier this week. “All three are long time members of the police department and bring an abundance of knowledge and experience to their new positions.”
This announcement came a few days after the retirement of WPD Captain Victor Neal, who served the town of Westford for 33 years as a part-time and later full-time police officer, before he was promoted to a sergeant, then lieutenant and later captain. Neal also served as the WPD’s court prosecutor and as a detective.
Captain Neal was also honored during Monday’s Select Board Meeting, where members bid their farewell to the veteran officer and congratulated him for his many years of public service to the town of Westford.
“Victor, you are going to be incredibly missed,” said Select Board Chairman Andrea Peraner-Sweet during the meeting on Monday. “Your retirement leaves big shoes to fill within the department,” she added.
Chief Mark Chambers, who was recently named WPD Police Chief this past year, was also present at Monday’s meeting. “Vic Neal is one of the reasons why the Police Department is looked at the way it is,” Chambers said.
“He was my first sergeant when I worked here. I always wanted to emulate him, and follow in his footsteps. He set an excellent example for the Police Department, and for the community,” he added.
Although Captain Neal served as a role model for many officers, he believes that the future of the WPD is good hands under Chief Chambers, and with the promotion of Holmes, Peloquin and Hughes.
“I know the challenges are always changing,” Neal said. “We have nothing to worry about with Mark and the rest of the troops in the department.”
According to the WPD’s announcement on Monday, Holmes, Peloquin and Hughes are “all long time members of the police department and bring an abundance of knowledge and experience to their new positions.”
