Haverhill Woman Becomes Groveland’s First Female Police Supervisor

Detective Sgt. Heather Riley and Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen. (Photograph courtesy of Groveland Police Department.)

The Groveland Police Department has its first female supervisor with the appointment of a Haverhill woman as a detective sergeant.

Heather Riley, who has been with the department for 10 years and served as a detective for the last two, was among three promotions and three new hires, announced Monday by Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen.

“As my first appointments and promotions since taking over as chief on July 1, I’m extremely happy to welcome our new officers to the Groveland Police Department and commend those who have moved up in the ranks,” Gillen said. “We’re thrilled to have Detective Sgt. Riley step into her role as the first female supervisor in the history of this department.”

Riley has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Salem State University and extensive training in sexual assault and domestic violence investigations and crime scene evidence recovery, the chief said. She also has experience working as the department’s elder affairs officer.

Dwight McDonald, of Groveland, was promoted to lieutenant. In this role, he serves as executive officer, where he is second in command. He has been with the Groveland Police Department for 28 years and served as a sergeant for the last nine years. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College, extensive leadership training and supervises the emergency communications center. McDonald has also served as the schools’ D.A.R.E. officer for 12 years.

Eric Gorski, of Groveland, was promoted to sergeant. He has been with the Groveland Police Department for 20 years. He began as a reserve officer for three years before becoming a full-time officer. Gorski has a master’s in criminal justice from Western New England College, and has training as a defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor and field training officer.

Adam Sanborn, of Bradford, became a full-time police officer after working as a reserve officer for the last three years. He has an associate degree in criminal justice and graduated from the Northern Essex Community College-Methuen Police Department Academy.

Christopher L’Italien, of Georgetown, was appointed as a full-time police officer. He has been with the Groveland Police Department for two years as a reserve officer. L’Italien has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and is scheduled to graduate from the Northern Essex Community College-Methuen Police Department Academy Friday.

Emily Staton, of Haverhill, was appointed as a full-time dispatcher and reserve police officer. Staton is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and has been a reserve dispatcher with the Groveland Police Department for six months.

The Board of Selectmen swore in and promoted members of the Groveland Police Department June 26.

4 thoughts on “Haverhill Woman Becomes Groveland’s First Female Police Supervisor

    • What a joke! 2017! First female! Way to go “progressive”grovel and. Are you sure this isn’t just for show since the gpd is the most misogynistic, corrupt little gang around….known to aid and abet abusive males!

  1. Like every other city, it looks like Groveland doesn’t have a physical fitness requirement for their police officers.
    Let’s hope she doesn’t have to run after and bad guys.