From left, Officer Sukbir Pabla and Officer Derek Coffey stand at the Billerica Public Safety Memorial.
BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department welcomed two new officers upon their graduation from the Northern Essex Community College Haverhill Police Academy.
Officer Sukbir Pabla and Officer Derek Coffey graduated from the NECC Haverhill Police Academy on Friday, Aug. 12, and will join Billerica Police for a 12-week field training program under the supervision of a more-experienced officer.
The NECC Haverhill Police Academy is a 24-week intensive program that covers constitutional law, domestic violence, elder abuse communication, problem-solving skills, response to residents on the autism spectrum and Active Bystander for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training, which prepares officers to intervene when they see other officers engaging in misconduct.
The NECC Academy consists of more than 900 hours of a combination of practical and classroom training, certifications and service to the community. Classes include first aid, law, applied patrol procedures, firearms, report writing, active shooter training, specialized driving and self-defense.
Officer Pabla, 29, moved to America with his family from Punjab, India and has lived in Billerica for five years. He speaks English, Punjabi, and Hindi. Officer Pabla served as a police dispatcher at Regis College.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity the Police Department has given to me to serve the community of Billerica,” Officer Pabla said.
Officer Coffey, 29, is a Billerica native and 2012 graduate of Billerica Memorial High School. He worked with Billerica Police as a dispatcher.
Officer Coffey has an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Middlesex Community College, and is working toward a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
“I always felt like the police officers in town were extremely fair, and maintained a great relationship with the public,” said Officer Coffey. “I always wanted to be a police officer because of that.”
“I want to introduce these two new officers to the community,” said Chief Frost. “Both of these men possess the skills, demeanor and drive to ethically serve this community and continue to build on the trust and traditions that this department works to achieve.”
From left, Lt. Commander Ron Balboni, Chief Roy Frost, Officer Sukbir Pabla, Officer Derek Coffey, Lt. John Harring, and Town Manager John Curran stand together at the Billerica Public Safety Memorial.
