Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood held a pinning ceremony for the promotions of seven police officers, including the city’s first Hispanic female supervisor and a breast cancer survivor.
Mayor Sarno stated, “My congratulations and thanks to all of our brave and dedicated Police Officers and their families. These promotions are well earned and deserved, and in holding true to my administration’s record of continuing to promote the diversity of our departments, once again we have another first in our city’s history. From Commissioner Clapprood becoming the first female police commissioner, to Rupert Daniel serving as the city’s first African-American Deputy Chief, we now have our city’s first Hispanic female supervisor in the Police Department’s history. Congratulations to all of our newly promoted officers. God Speed!”
Commissioner Clapprood added, “Every one of these officers promoted has demonstrated excellent work ethic throughout their many years of service. Their experience will be a big advantage in mentoring our young officers.”
Below are the seven officers who are being promoted.
Lieutenant Michael Kervick
A graduate of American International College with a degree in Criminal Justice Lt. Kervick became a Springfield Police Officer in 1992. He was a member of the Homicide Unit for 12 years and a Detective of the Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force for five years. After twenty years as a Detective Lt. Kervick was promoted to Sergeant in 2015 where he is currently a supervisor in the Student Support Unit.
The Springfield Police Department has awarded Lt. Kervick with five Commendations and nine letters of recognition. Born and raised in Sixteen Acres, Lt. Kervick thanks his family, wife Kerry, son Owen an daughter Reagan for all of their support throughout his career.
Lieutenant Daniel Reigner
Lt. Reigner began his career as a Springfield Police Cadet in 1993. A graduate of the High School of Commerce, he holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Curry College and became a Springfield Police Officer in 1997. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2013.
Lt. Reigner is currently assigned to the Detective Bureau and is also a member of the Homicide Unit. He has spent 10 of the past 13 years in the Detective Bureau with a three year stint as a Squad Supervisor. Sgt. Reigner is also a certified instructor for the Springfield Police Academy. His father, Springfield Police Officer John Reigner served the city for 32 years.
Sergeant James Donovan
Sgt. James Donovan became a Springfield Police Officer in 1996. He has worked in the Squad, Community Policing & Youth Aide Bureaus.
Sgt. Donovan holds a Masters’ Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College and is a graduate of Cathedral High School. His father, retired Springfield Police Captain Robert Donovan served the city for 38 years.
Sergeant Mark Kenney
Sgt. Kenney is a fourth generation Springfield Police Officer. His father, retired Springfield Police Captain Mark Kenney served the city for 32 years.
He began his career as a Springfield Police Officer in 1997 and for ten years worked in the Ordinance Unit before returning to Squad in 2017.
Sgt. Kenney has a Masters in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University and has received two Springfield Police Department Commendations and two letters of recognition for his work.
For a decade, Sgt. Kenney’s Turkey Bowl was synonymous with Thanksgiving in western Massachusetts. Sgt. Kenney raised more than $100,000 in those ten years to support research into Sturge–Weber Syndrome.
Sergeant Naomi Reyes
Sgt. Reyes will become the 1st Hispanic female Supervisor in the history of the Springfield Police Department. She has served both our city and our country. She has 15 years of military experience as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army and a Technical Sergeant for the 104th Fighter Wing in the Air National Guard.
A graduate of Springfield High School, Sgt. Reyes has a Masters’ Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University. She became a Springfield Police Officer in 2011 and has worked in the Narcotics Bureau, Squad and most recently in the Quebec Unit as a Student Resource Officer.
Sergeant Richard Rief
Sgt. Rief served four years in the United States Marine Corps prior to becoming a Springfield Police Officer in 1997. After nearly 20 years as a Patrolman, Sgt. Rief joined the Detective Bureau in 2016 where he currently is assigned. Sgt. Rief has received three letters of recognition for his work as a Springfield Police Officer.
Sgt. Rief’s father Richard is a retired Springfield District Fire Chief and will be pinned by his brother, Springfield Police Detective Matt Rief. Sgt. Rief wanted to thank his children Erin, Conor and Dylan for their support.
Sergeant Karen Simmons
Sgt. Simmons has been a Springfield Police Officer for 25 years and is currently assigned to the Special Victims Unit in the Detective Bureau.
The Boston native has a Masters’ Degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England University and Bachelor’s Degrees in both Criminal Justice and Homeland Security while currently pursuing a degree in Theology.
A breast cancer survivor, Sgt. Simmons volunteers her time with the Rays of Hope Walk & Run.
