The retiring police commissioner in Springfield Massachusetts was saluted for his service during a city hall ceremony Thursday
The ceremony attended by past and present city officials, and police chiefs from several area departments at times took on the tone of a retirement roast for William Fitchet as he endured some good natured ribbing. Fitchet, who is retiring on May 31st after 42 years on the Springfield police force, the last six as commissioner, was praised as “a cop’s cop”. Fitchet is leaving a department with its ranks reduced by recession forced budget cuts
"It is a department that is well educated and motivated and has embraced training and technology. If that is my legacy, I am proud of it," said Fitchet.
Current Deputy Chief John Barbieri will become commissioner on Sunday.
