Danvers Police report promotions, staffing changes, spike in unlocked-vehicle crimes and crypto ATM scams

The Danvers Police Department on June 17 reported multiple internal promotions, a small net staffing increase approved by town bodies, and a recent uptick in unlocked-vehicle entries and vehicle thefts that police say were tied to regional juvenile crews.

Chief of Police gave the quarterly update to the Select Board, saying promotions effective May 4 followed a civil-service process begun last September. Sergeant Derek Colello was promoted to lieutenant and will take charge of the day shift and serve as the department’s CALEA accreditation manager; Detective Michael Moke was promoted to sergeant and will command the Criminal Investigations Division; Officers Michael Lima, Jeff Smith and Ryan Shallow were also promoted to sergeant and assigned to evening, community service and split-shift patrol duties, respectively.

The department said student officer Honan is enrolled at the Northeast Regional Police Academy and is expected to graduate August 15, 2025, then enter an eight-week field-training program. One officer remains on extended leave for a job-related injury; one vacancy exists following retirement, and an additional patrol officer will be added effective July 1…