STERLING The Sterling Police Department continues to evolve, with more internal promotions helping to make it a desirable place to work, according to one of the newly promoted officers.
The Select Board OK’d promoting Sgt. Steven Fugere to lieutenant and Officer Timothy Plouffe to sergeant.
Police Chief Sean Gaudette explained that the lieutenant’s position was approved at a 2002 town meeting, but never funded.
“As part of my personal promotional process, I committed to my officers that I would seek funding for the rank/position,” Gaudette explained.
Gaudette was promoted from sergeant upon the retirement of former Chief Gary Chamberland. At approximately the same time, Detective Dave Johnson retired, creating another vacancy.
Gaudette said that, with the difference between his pay and Chamberland’s at the time of his retirement, no further appropriations were needed to fund the lieutenant’s position.
“The lieutenant position will be funded under the current budget and requires no extra appropriation to accomplish,” Gaudette told members of the Select Board at their most recent meeting. “The resulting secondary promotion of a patrol officer to sergeant is also covered under our current budget. Additionally, no staffing increases are required to complete this promotion or the resulting promotion of a patrolman to what would then become a vacant sergeant’s position.”
Fugere has been a member of the Sterling department for 17 years and worked for four years as a sergeant on the night shift. When Gaudette was promoted during the summer, he brought Fugere onto the day shift to help with administrative work. Fugere will be focusing on training, keeping the department in compliance with new standards and grant work, and will receive training on internal affairs.
Fugere has also been lead drill instructor at Fitchburg State University’s police program since 2018. In response to a question, Fugere said he has had to step back from his instructor duties since being on the day shift.
With the successful transition of Fugere to the lieutenant’s position, Gaudette recommended promoting Plouffe to fill his sergeant’s position.
Gaudette called Plouffe “a Sterling success story.” Plouffe is a lifelong Sterling resident and a 21-year veteran of the police department. He spent three years in dispatch and as a part-time officer before becoming a full-time officer 18 years ago.
The chief said Plouffe came in second in the recent sergeant’s promotional test, behind Ryan Ferguson, who was recently promoted to another sergeant’s position.
Looking around the Select Board meeting room, Plouffe noted he attended second grade in the building when it was an elementary school.
“I feel lucky to be in this town as a resident and how all of these officers (around the region) seek this department,” Plouffe said. “It is a credit to everyone in this room and the community. I am proud to be part of that.”
Select Board Chair Maureen Cranson noted she has known both of the men promoted since they were very young and pointed out the number of fellow officers in the room for the appointments.
“I love seeing the support you guys give each other,” Cranson said.
In other business, the Select Board approved an auto dealership license for Flagg Rentals RV at 145 Greenwood Road and gave the nod to the Sterling Recreation road race on April 8.
