SOUTH HADLEY — Town Administrator Michael J. Sullivan has appointed Lt. Steven Parentela, a 33-year veteran of the town’s police force, to serve as its next chief.
Parentela has been interim police chief since July 1 after the retirement of former police chief David Labrie, who held the post for more than a decade.
The appointment is subject to approval by the Select Board, which has scheduled a confirmation hearing Sept. 6. Parentela declined to comment on his appointment until he is officially confirmed.
Parentela became a full-time South Hadley police officer in 1988 after serving as an intermittent and special officer beginning in 1983. He was promoted to lieutenant, the highest rank other than police chief, in March 2006.
During his time in South Hadley, Parentela has served as a DARE and bicycle safety officer and been involved in regional and statewide initiatives on matters related to juvenile crime, drug interdiction, sexual assault, and officer training, according to town officials. Parentela holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Curry College in Milton.
“The South Hadley Police Department and the larger community is very familiar to Lt. Parentela,” Sullivan said in a statement Friday. “He has been responsible for coordinating and maintaining much of the technological advances and resulting platforms in the department. He also supervises much of the building operations, equipment maintenance and acts as a facilities manager for the police station.”
If confirmed, Parentela will negotiate a contract with town officials and is expected to start as chief Sept. 30. During his first year of service, Parentela is expected to receive professional trainings to expand his understanding of management responsibilities, collective bargaining and customer service. That is part of expanded professional training the town is providing to new managers.
Dan Crowley can be reached at dcrowley@gazettenet.com.