New Bedford adds four new officers to the police force

The New Bedford Police Department welcomed four new officers to the department following a swearing-in ceremony Wednesday, May 2 at City Hall. Matthew Desrosiers, Terrell Parent, Robert Perry III and Kayla Sylvia were sworn in as the city’s newest police officers.

Mayor Jon Mitchell, Chief Joseph Cordeiro, Deputy Chief Paul Oliveira, City Councilors Linda Morad and William Brad Markey were on hand to congratulate the new officers, wish them well in their new positions and thank their families for providing ongoing love and support to them as they begin their work as New Bedford Police Officers.

Lt. Nathaniel Rodriguez served as master of ceremonies. Rev. Douglas Cederberg led the opening prayer.

The new officers were sworn in by City Clerk Dennis Farias.

Mayor Mitchell told the new officers that they hold a very important position, one that is the cornerstone of the city. “The first business of government is public safety,” the mayor said. Without safety, the important business of the city cannot be done, he said.

“I’m so pleased you decided to heed the call and follow through,” he said of the new officers.

Chief Cordeiro stressed the importance of officers reaching out to the community. “We’re not just police officers, we’re public servants,” said Chief Cordeiro. “We’re here to serve the public. Build those relationships with people.”

“You are now part of a unique family,” Chief Cordeiro told the new officers. “You will not walk alone.”

Officer Desrosiers grew up in Fairhaven and graduated from Bishop Stang High School in 2006. He has lived in New Bedford for four years.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Bridgewater State University in 2011. He worked at Child & Family Services in New Bedford for three years and for the Department of Children and Families for three years.

His experience with those dealing with mental health and substance abuse gives him insight into two issues that reflect a number of the calls he will answer.

Officer Parent grew up in Acushnet and has lived in New Bedford for five years. He graduated from New Bedford High School in 2008 and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Dartmouth.

He has a background as a victim witness advocate in the District Attorney’s Office, where he interned and later worked full-time. Through that work, he discovered that he really liked helping people and wanted to bring what he learned in his courtroom experience into the streets as a police officer.

Officer Perry grew up in Fairhaven and graduated from Fairhaven High School in 2011. He has lived in New Bedford for five years.

He joined the Air National Guard in 2013 and serves as a military police officer. He decided to join the New Bedford Police Department because he likes police work and wants to help people.

Officer Sylvia grew up in New Bedford and graduated from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School in 2011. She majored in legal and protective services, which was a new program at the time.

A month after graduation, she joined the Air National Guard. She also received her bachelor’s degree in history from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams.

She has a family history of service. Her father is a New Bedford firefighter and her mother is a master sergeant in the Air National Guard. Inspired to protect her twin 13-year-old twin sisters, she also joined the NBPD to follow her family’s commitment to public service.