PLAINFIELD — Police Chief Justin Litchfield has promoted one of his per-diem officers to the rank of corporal, and anticipates promoting him to full time to replace another officer who was not reappointed after being suspended with pay.

Anthony Gibbs, 58, has been with the Plainfield Police Department for about two years. He also works part time for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff.

“I consider it an honor,” Gibbs said of his promotion. “I consider it an opportunity to assist the chief.”

Litchfield said Gibbs has completed all of the necessary training and that he is waiting for a waiver from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission before promoting Gibbs to full-time duty.

Plainfield previously had two full-time officers, Litchfield and Sgt. Matthew Miazga. Miazga was not reappointed by the chief for this fiscal year following an internal affairs investigation by an outside agency after he was suspended with pay in early June.

Town officials have not disclosed why Miazga was suspended. The following month, on July 6, Miazga’s wife filed a complaint against Litchfield with the Select Board alleging he made advances toward her last December when her husband was away at training. Litchfield declined to comment on the complaint last week.

Litchfield said he promoted Gibbs so that he could do tasks that Miazga had done when he was working for the department. He said he put the idea of a full-time officer out to the department’s six per-diem officers, and that Gibbs was the only officer that expressed an interest in writing.

A resident of Chicopee, Gibbs has previously served as a correctional officer and as a part-time officer in Chicopee and Hatfield. He also said that he has purchased a vehicle exclusively for commuting to Plainfield.

“I really like Plainfield,” Gibbs said. “I like the citizens of the town. They’ve welcomed me with open arms.”

Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.]]>