Chelsea — The Chelsea City Council on an evening session held a formal swearing-in ceremony for a promoted sergeant and three newly graduated police officers, with Chief Houghton administering oaths and family members pinning badges.

Council members offered congratulations before the oath. Councilor Kelly Garcia called the new officers role models for young women and welcomed them to the Chelsea Police Department; several other councilors echoed that praise. Chief Houghton said he has served as chief for about three and a half years and described recent changes in the department, emphasizing family ties among personnel and the department’s community focus.

Chief Houghton introduced a promoted sergeant and discussed his military and departmental service, then administered an oath of office. The person taking the oath recited the name “Daniel Brosseau” during the oath. Earlier in the ceremony the chief introduced the promoted sergeant using a different surname in verbal remarks; the transcript shows both “Daniel Verrazo/Ferrazzo” (chief’s introduction) and “Daniel Brosseau” (oath). The record contains this inconsistency and the council clerk’s roll call and the oath language were used to capture the formal administration of the oath.

The chief then introduced three officers who graduated from the academy on November 18 and noted they will enter field training before independent patrol. Officer Samantha Claudio, whose husband came forward to pin her badge as noted in the ceremony, recited the oath and was welcomed by councilors. Manuel Vargas (listed in the oath as Manuel Vargas) recited the oath and had multiple family members invited to pin his badge. Officer Camila Vega recited the oath and had Bianca Arroyo pin her badge. Chief Houghton told the council the officers are in field training and that five additional recruits are scheduled to enter the academy in February.

The oath language recited by each inductee included promises to uphold the Constitution, the laws of the commonwealth, the city charter and local ordinances. No votes or formal motions were recorded during this brief ceremonial session. After the badge pinning and a short photo break the council adjourned.

The transcript contains minor inconsistencies in proper names for at least two individuals (see clarifying details). Where the transcript presents more than one form of a name, this report notes each rendition rather than reconciling them without external verification.

The council paused for photos and then adjourned; no further action or scheduled votes were recorded in the session.