EASTON, Pa. — Easton Police Department celebrated the retirement of two officers, the promotion of two detectives, and the hiring of two new members at a city council meeting last week.
Police Chief Carl Scalzo and Mayor Sal Panto Jr. welcomed and swore in new officers Nathan Capwell and Philip Vooz.
They also promoted David Costa to a detective position in Criminal Investigations and Brian Byrd to inspector in Criminal Investigations.
“Like I always tell you, you’ve been an instrumental part of the success of this department,”Carl Scalzo
And they saw to the retirement of Anthony Arredondo and John Piperato at the start of the council meeting Wednesday.
Scalzo pre-empted the presentations by thanking city officials for their dedication to his department.
“Like I always tell you, you’ve been an instrumental part of the success of this department,” Scalzo said.
“I’d also like to thank the community members who are here this evening for witnessing this very important event.”
'With honor and integrity'
Prior to swearing in Capwell and Vooz, Scalzo provided a short treatise on the challenges and importance of their new roles.
“Officer Capwell and Officer Vooz have committed to protecting and serving the citizens of the city of Easton," he said.
"This is not a commitment that we as a department or individuals take lightly. It must be done with honor and with integrity.
“They brought safety to the city, and they made our city a better place to live, work and visit.”Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
Scalzo said, “These officers should be proud of what they have accomplished thus far just by being selected to join the ranks of the Easton Police Department.
"The requirements and the duties of the police officer are ever-changing, and very often it becomes a very thankless job. Make no mistake about it, for the men and women who serve, it's a calling and not just a job.
"This profession requires selflessness, dedication and devotion to fellow officers, to citizens and to the city as a whole.”
Mayor Panto congratulated the new hires, the promotions and the retirees for both joining and leaving “one of the finest police forces in the region.”
“When I took office in 2008 it was anything but exemplary, but today it is a Premier [Agency] Status police department,” Panto said.
“They brought safety to the city, and they made our city a better place to live, work and visit.”
'Worked hard to serve the citizens'
Moving on to promotions, Scalzo stated Costa had joined the force in 2013, assuming the role of field training officer in 2017. He made his way up to firearms instructor in the Firearms Training Division in 2019.
“Officer Costa has been a valuable member of this department. Has worked hard to serve the citizens of this community," Scalzo said.
"He has taken every opportunity to not only better himself, but also help prepare and train new officers to perform their duties following the best possible practices."
Byrd, Scalzo said, joined the department in 2006, moved up to the Special Response Unit in 2009, and made another move to the team’s elite sniper unit just a year later.
In 2013, Byrd took a role as a firearms training officer. In 2016, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Unit, working as a vice detective, before becoming a criminal investigator.
“Detective Byrd has been recognized throughout his career with numerous awards and citations, including in 2021 when the Kiwanis Club of Easton recognized him as the Easton Police Department's Officer of the Year,” Scalzo said.
'Bittersweet ending'
The presentation concluded with Scalzo offering a “bittersweet ending,” bidding farewell to Inspectors Arredondo and Piperato.
Piperato, who was unable to attend the ceremony, joined the force in 2004, and worked for 21 years with Easton Police Department.
In 2009, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Unit and eventually reached the rank of Inspector in 2021.
“Inspector Piperato was a member of the Special Response Unit, Homeland Security Investigative Task Force and the Northampton County Drug Task Force," Scalzo said.
"Inspector Piperato was also a defensive tactics instructor and was named officer the year in 2010 on behalf of the entire department, we thank him for his service."
“They’re going to love it; it’s a great place to work. I enjoyed working in Easton for 20 years. They’re going to enjoy it. There’s too much advice to give, but they’re going to love it.”Retiring Easton Police Officer Anthony Arredondo
Arredondo came on board in 2004, and joined up with the community policing unit in 2010. By 2011, he joined the Criminal Investigative Unit as a vice detective and stepped up to full detective in 2017.
In 2011, he joined the Special Response Unit, and took a role in the department’s drone unit in 2024.
“In addition to the above appointments and promotions, Inspector Arredondo was a member of the Northampton County Drug Task Force, the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the FBI Violent Crime Task Force," Scalzo said.
"Inspector Arredondo has been recognized throughout his career with numerous awards and citations, including in 2009 when the Kiwanis Club of Easton recognized him as the Easton Police Department's Officer of the Year."
After stepping out of council chambers with friends and family, Arredondo reflected on his career and spoke on the fresh faces and old friends stepping into new roles.
“They’re going to love it; it’s a great place to work," he said. "I enjoyed working in Easton for 20 years. They’re going to enjoy it. There’s too much advice to give, but they’re going to love it.”
