Shrewsbury Officer to Helm Glendale Police Department

A lieutenant from the Shrewsbury Police Department has been picked to run a law enforcement agency of his own as the police chief for the city of Glendale.

Shrewsbury Police Chief Jeff Keller informed the city's Board of Aldermen about officer Jeff Beaton's new position at their regular meeting Tuesday night. Although the appointment is not yet finalized, Keller said he expects it go through without any problems. He noted that it was with "mixed feelings" that he gave the news of the departure of the 18-year veteran of the Shrewsbury police force.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for him and he has prepared himself well for that opportunity," Keller said. "He has been a terrific policeman."

According to Keller, Beaton is highly trained, having earned his master's degree and recently graduated from the FBI national academy. He is also one of the department's most experienced officers.

"He has risen through the ranks and he has served all the positions in the police department," Keller said. "He started as a patrol officer, became a detective, became a sergeant, became a lieutenant and was in charge of our field operations."

Beaton also earned praise from the board of aldermen, who said that Shrewsbury’s loss would be Glencove’s gain.

“Sad for us, good for him,” Alderman Mike Travaglini said.