Lyons sworn in as new probationary officer

Richard S. Tamburini, Johnston’s long-serving police chief, liked what he read – and observed – about Kevin Lyons.

Those were two reasons why Lyons, who has spent the last six years as a corrections officer with the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department in Massachusetts, was selected to fill a void as the Johnston Police Department’s new probationary patrolman.

“Welcome, Kevin,” Mayor Joseph Polisena said after an introduction by Tamburni, and while backed by a standing-room-only group of police officers and Lyons’ family members. “You are joining a great department and I wish you well.”

Tamburini, meanwhile, later said: “He’s a solid candidate; he has some fine credentials.”

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be in Johnston, and I want to thank Mayor Polisena and Chief Tamburini for this wonderful opportunity,” Lyons said.

Once the ceremonial swearing in was complete, Lyons told Polisena and Tamburini: “I won’t let you down; I’m really looking forward to working in Johnston.”

Lyons is a graduate of Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts, where he put up some impressive numbers during a successful collegiate baseball career that include All-Star Conference and Player of the Year honors as well as being voted All-New England.

His leadership also surfaced when Westfield State’s coaching staff gave him the responsibility of conducting daily practices and workouts.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Lyons began working as a corrections officer. His duties included working efficiently with team staff members to ensure care and custody of all inmate needs.

Lyons also served on the Sheriff’s Response Team, a tactical squad that is on-call 24/7. Among that group’s responsibilities included security and health matters related to high-risk inmates, responding to emergency situations and coordinating high-profile security matters.

Lyons is CPR-certified and worked in the Employee Assistance Program Training. He is prepared to respond to a variety of co-officer needs ranging from communication with inmates to stress in the workplace. He’s also a Verbal Judo Program Certified Trainee who has participated in a top-rated national communications course that helps facilitate communications between distressed inmates and co-workers regarding high-tension situations.