By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
NEWPORT, N.H. — The town of Newport welcomed Police Officer Jack Matarese to the town’s police department, with Chief Alex Lee giving him high praise before he was sworn in at Monday’s selectboard meeting.
“I can tell you without hesitation that in his time here, Jack was one of the best interns that I’ve ever worked with in my career,” Lee said.
Matarese recently graduated from the New Hampshire Police Academy and excelled in all areas including academics, physical fitness, firearms, leadership and more. Monday was his first day of field training, and Lee said he showed that he can hit the ground running as he made his first arrest less than two hours into his shift.
Matarese grew up in Ashland, Massachusetts with his parents, brother and sister. Once he was hired as a parole officer in Newport, he immediately established residency in town with his girlfriend. Lee was proud to report that all of the officers hired in the last two years now reside in Newport. Lee said this is good for the community, as they have all meshed themselves into town.
Matarese is a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College, with a bachelor of science degree in public health science. It was also noted by Lee that he displayed strong leadership skills and superior physical fitness as captain of the varsity baseball team.
During his final semester of college, Matarese took part in an internship with the Newport Police Department. There have been four interns in Newport over the last two years, and Lee said this has proven to be a valuable asset for all involved. The internship program, he said, has generated a pipeline of applicants for positions like parole officer, communications specialist and records.
Lee said it is known that not all interns are created equally, as some show a knack for learning and others are not quite as motivated. For Matarese, his background investigation report for when he got hired says it all.
“Matarese was an eager intern who was highly interested in the day-to-day operations of the police department,” the report stated, as read aloud in the meeting by Lee. “He was always respectful, well mannered, and willing to help at each turn. Supervisors in the department were highly impressed with him and he received unanimous recommendations across the board for full-time employment within the agency. Matarese appears mature and professional beyond his years and has the qualities which the investigator believes would make a good police officer.”
After he was sworn in by Chief Lee, Newport Selectboard Chair and former Police Chief Jim Burroughs gave Matarese a firm handshake of support. He also had a message for the young officer.
“Do my department proud,” Burroughs said.
