Seekonk Promotes Four Police Officers

The Seekonk Board of Selectmen met on Wednesday for promotional ceremonies for four officers.

The promotions come after the retirement of Ron Charron and the selection of captain Craig Mace as the new chief.

Lieutenant Frank John was promoted to the rank of Captain, Sergeants Anthony Araujo and Michelle Hines were promoted to the rank of lieutenant and officer Christopher Kelly was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Mace had kind words for all the officers, most of which have been with the Seekonk Police for over 20 years.

He said John started in Seekonk in 1988 as a full-time officer and was promoted to lieutenant in 2007.

“During his career, he’s had many responsibilities,” Mace said.

He said he was a field-training officer, a DARE officer, worked in the special offices and was a firearms licensing officer. His badge was affixed by his wife, Kara.

“He’s also not a Yankees fan,” Mace said, in response to the inevitable question selectmen always ask a new or promoted civil employee.

Hines started as a full-time officer in 1985, and in 2006 was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Mace said she served as a field-training officer, an acting sergeant in 2002 and was the first school resource officer in Seekonk.

“She’s also one of the few child passenger safety officers in the region, which is remarkable,” Mace said. “She’s also been a strong advocate for victims of domestic violence.”

Her daughter, Lisa, son-in-law, Joshua, and her grandson, Lucas, affixed her badge.

Araujo became a full time officer in 1997, and started as a special officer in 1981. Mace said he has been involved in maintaining and enhancing the station’s radio system for most of those years and got an award for his work.

Kelly started in Seekonk as a full time officer in 2004. Mace said he served as a field training officer and serves in the process of purchasing and maintaining the body armor for the department. Mace added he also has special weapons and tactical training.