BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – The Canton Police Department has a new police officer and a new police sergeant following approval by the village board on Wednesday night.

Joseph Mastro is expected to officially join the force this summer after completing second-phase coursework at the David Sullivan-St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Academy housed at SUNY Canton.

“That was the number one place I wanted to go when I graduate,” stated Mastro in an earlier press release.

He was sworn in by Village Clerk Sally Noble in front of family and friends, including his father, retired state trooper Greg Mastro. He was also congratulated by Canton Police Chief James Santimaw.

“He’s a local person who comes from a good family. He’s a very likeable person who I know will do a great job,” the chief stated.

Village leaders also approved a provisional appointment for Josh Vine as police sergeant.

Vine fills the third sergeant’s position left by long-time sergeant Basil Cheney who retired in March after 32 years of service.

“Josh has done a fantastic job and has a lot of good ideas,” Santimaw remarked. “He has a good outlook that will be good for mentoring his officers.”

Mastro’s hiring leaves the department down one officers. Santimaw said that he and village board representatives initiated interviews Thursday evening to fill the sixth police officer position.