Published February 5, 2021
MELROSE — The Police Department has gone on a recent hiring spree to fill vacant positions in its ranks.
Officers Alexander Wilson, Ashley Baldwin and Lucas Kaestner graduated from the Lowell Police Academy on Friday, Dec. 11. A socially distanced swearing-in ceremony was held at City Hall on Monday, Dec. 14. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s gathering size restrictions, there was no formal graduation ceremony like the ones typically hosted by the academy.
“I am excited to welcome these three new officers to the force,” Mayor Paul Brodeur said. “Their diverse skills and training will benefit the department and the community now and in the future.”
“We are excited to have these three new officers among our ranks and congratulate them on completing their intensive academy training,” Chief Michael Lyle said. “They will certainly be a great asset to our department and we wish them all the best as they complete their field training in the coming weeks.”
Officers Andrew Ruby and Thomas Grant were sworn in during a socially distanced ceremony on Monday, Feb. 1 at City Hall. The two have begun their 10-week field training program.
The police academy is 24 weeks long and consists of more than 900 hours of a combination of practical and classroom training, certifications and service to the community. Some of the classes include first aid, law, applied patrol procedures, firearms, report writing, active shooter training, specialized driving and self-defense. All in-person trainings are done in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Officer Wilson served in the United States Coast Guard after graduating from the Massachusetts Marine Academy in 2016, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in International Maritime Business. Wilson is currently working on earning a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Baldwin worked as a nurse in the Emergency Department at Massachusetts General Hospital and a nurse on the medical-surgical telemetry unit at Winchester Hospital prior to joining the Melrose Police Department. She graduated from Salem State University with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
Kaestner worked as an armed security officer for the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) in Cambridge prior to joining the Melrose Police Department. He worked as an intern for the department in 2017 and graduated from Merrimack College with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with a double minor in United States History and Political Science.
All three are now in a 10-week field training program.
Officer Ruby, a lifelong resident of Melrose, is the first in his family to pursue a career in law enforcement. After high school, Ruby went on to attend Roger Williams University and holds a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. He is an engaged community member, and is involved with the Melrose Youth Hockey and Lacrosse programs.
Officer Grant, another lifelong resident of Melrose, began his law enforcement career in February 2020 as an officer for the Northeastern University Police Department. He self-sponsored himself to attend the Methuen Police Academy through the Melrose Police Department in 2019. He previously worked as a Transportation Security Officer at Logan Airport and as the assistant site coordinator for the after school Education Stations program for Melrose. He attended the American Academy of Person Training in Boston, where he graduated with a degree in Personal Training.
Mayor Brodeur said of officers Ruby and Grant: “I am excited to welcome these new officers to our department. They bring outstanding training and experience to the job and have already worked with our kids.”
“Please join me in welcoming these two new officers to the department,” Police Chief Michael Lyle said. “Their experience will make them a great asset to our department and we look forward to working with them as they complete their field training in the coming weeks.”
