Promotions, fresh recruits, NYPD retiree bolster ranks of Rochester's finest

The daughter of Lt. Elizabeth Turner pins a lieutenant's badge on her mom during a ceremony at a recent police commission meeting as Capt. Todd Pinkham looks on. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Several Rochester Officers were recently sworn in or promoted, including Officer David Lombardi who just graduated from the New Hampshire Police Academy ranking top in his class in both academic and physical prowess.
Lombardi matriculated from the 16-week training course last month and is now officially certified a New Hampshire police officer.

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Sgt. Elizabeth Turner was sworn in as the department's newest lieutenant. Turner was hired in 2009 after graduating UNH with a dual bachelor's degree in justice studies and sociology. She received her master's degree in justice studies from UNH in 2021. Most of Turner's career in Rochester has been was spent on the busiest shift, 4 p.m. to midnight. She was one of the go-to Field Training Officers that the department learned on heavily. Turner is a certified Crisis Intervention Team member and oversees the unit. She is also a member of the evidence collection team. Turner is also a RAD instructor (rape aggression defense system). She became a detective in 2019 and served in that role until February 2021 when she was promoted to sergeant.
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Officer Aidan Birmingham was sworn in as a police officer. Birmingham is a native of Georgetown, Mass.,, and a graduate of UNH. He holds a bachelor's degree with a major in homeland security and a minor in corporate security. At UNH, Officer Birmingham was a distinguished member of the ROTC program, and in 2020 earned the superior cadet award. Birmingham is slated to attend the next NH Police Academy in January 2023 for 16 weeks.
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Det. Carl Root was promoted to Sergeant. Root came to Rochester PD in 2019 after a distinguished 26-year career with the NYPD. Root "retired" from NYPD, but still had a passion and love for this job. He has a vast amount of experience he brings with him. Some NYPD highlights are: four years as special assignments soverseeing large scale operations, developed and oversaw strategic response unit; seven years as a sergeant supervising various assignments such as hazardous materials, counter-terrorism, anti-crime, intelligence and street narcotics.

Rochester Police Chief Gary Boudreau noted that during Root's initial interview he spoke of his love for this job and his passion for helping victims of crimes and making a difference in their lives.