'New' Officer No Stranger to Canton Public Safety

It's been just a few days that Jon Lederman has patrolled Canton, working closely with Field Training Officer John Colangelo.

Hired by the town in April, Lederman has already finished 23 weeks at the state police academy, and has several more weeks of on-the-job training ahead of him.

However, the new police officer, commonly known as J.T., is certainly no stranger to Canton's public safety efforts.

He spent the last three years as a police dispatcher and has been a Canton volunteer firefighter for approximately five years. His first service with the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department was as a cadet.

Lederman said that while there's still a lot to learn he feels that previous experience gave him a great advantage in knowing the layout of the town, how people interact, and much more.

The new position also affords that personal interaction with people, his favorite aspect of public safety.

"I like the feel of being face to face with the public and being able to interface with people every day," Lederman said.

Lederman said it was also great to come back to a department with familiar faces.

"I'm coming back to what is almost a family to me," he said. "I'm happy to be part of the community, working for the town and plan on staying here for a long time."

Lederman's ties to Canton also go beyond his public safety experience. He grew up in Farmington and his family moved to town about 8 years ago.

Soon after he became a cadet with the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department. Many kids dream of being a police officer and firefighter and Lederman held on to those plans.

Officers have to pass a battery of tests and Lederman said the physical was the most challenging for him. Over a year before being hired, he lost 72 pounds to get in shape.

"I made fitness a big part of my life," he said. "It really helped get everything in line."

Colangelo said the training ahead of Lederman is still intensive. In addition to police work, officers in Canton are first medical responders. There are many situations that can bring a lot of surprises and officers need to know how to approach a myriad of situations.

Colangelo said Lederman's past experience and work ethic are great advantages.

"We're certainly expecting his transition to go smoothly and that he will become a great addition to the patrol division," Colangelo said.

At 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Lederman will be formally welcomed at a swearing in ceremony at the Canton Police Department, 45 River Road.

The town will also recognize newly hired officer Martin Miller, recent hire Adam Gompper and Jon Saucier, who was recently promoted to sergeant.