Newly installed Lynn Police Sergeant Lawrence Wetzell (fifth from left) joins Chief Kevin Coppinger and fellow officers following his oath of office ceremony July 24 at Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy’s offices in City Hall.
Lawrence Wentzell, a 25-year patrolman for the Lynn Police Department, was promoted to sergeant during an impressive swearing-in ceremony July 24 at the office of Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy.
Mayor Kennedy, Police Chief Kevin Coppinger, Lynn Police officers, and members of the Wentzell family looked on as Wentzell was given the oath of office by Janet Rowe, assistant city clerk.
A graduate of Salem High School, North Shore Community College, and Curry College who holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Suffolk University, Wentzell began his service in the Lynn Police Department in 1988. He said he was honored to receive the promotion.
“After 25 years, it’s been a long time coming,” said Wentzell. “I’ve done a lot of things in the department. I was on the drug task force for a long time. I was a school resource officer and I have been a detective in the juvenile division for three years so it’s a nice progression for me.”
Wentzell, 54, said his duties will change with the promotion.
“I’ve been out of uniform off patrol for 16 years since I went on the drug task force so I’m going back to uniform and shift work,” said Wentzell. “I’ve worked Monday through Friday, weekends and holidays off as a detective, but now my work schedule will change. I’ll be a patrol supervisor in a cruiser so it’s going to change a lot.”
Wentzell said he has tremendous respect for his colleagues in the department.
“Everyone has been great to me,” said Wenztell. “I’ve had a great career up to this point and I’m not looking for it to end. I love this job like I started it yesterday. It’s a privilege for me to wear this badge and put on this uniform every day – it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do my whole life.
“To finally after 25 years take this new challenge on, I’m grateful to the chief and the mayor and everybody that helped me get there.”