The following are recent promotions within the Watertown Police Department:
Lieutenant Cristin Lyon was promoted to the rank of Police Captain on Saturday,
August 17, 2024. Captain Lyon is replacing Captain Michael LaBarge, who retired
after 26 years of service with the Watertown Police Department. Captain Lyon is a
19-year veteran with the department. She started her career on February 24, 2005, and trained at the Black River/St. Lawrence Valley Police Academy. After
completing the police academy, she served as a patrol officer for the evening shift
on the “C” platoon. She was promoted to the rank of Police Detective on June 30,
2014. While working as a general-crimes detective, she became certified as a
forensic interviewer. As an additional duty, she was assigned to the Jefferson
County Animal Cruelty Task Force. She continued serving as a Detective until she
was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant on September 3, 2017, and was
assigned to the overnight shift on the “C” platoon, as a first-line supervisor. She
was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant on August 14, 2022, and was
assigned to the overnight shift in command of the “D” Platoon. She served in that
position until her promotion to Captain.
During her career, Captain Lyon performed additional duties as an FTO (field
training officer), a member of the department’s tactical team, a general topics
instructor and a special topics instructor (certifications in OC [pepper spray] and
tactical emergency casualty care). She has also held the position of “Accreditation
Program Manager” since 2009.
Sergeant Christopher Kamide was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant on
Saturday, August 17, 2024. Lieutenant Kamide is replacing Lieutenant Cristin
Lyon, who was promoted to Captain. Lieutenant Kamide is a 10-year veteran of
the department, after transferring from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on
November 20, 2014. Lieutenant Kamide served as a patrol officer on the C
platoon. He was promoted to the rank of Police Detective on January 20, 2019. He served as a general-crimes detective until July 28, 2020, when he was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant. He served as a first-line supervisor for the overnight shift on the “D” Platoon until his promotion to Lieutenant. He is now assigned as the “D” Platoon Commander.
During his career, Lieutenant Kamide performed additional duties as an FTO (field
training officer), a crisis negotiator, a “Master Instructor” (trains police officers to
be instructors), a special-topics instructor (certifications in physical fitness,
defensive tactics, and EVOC (emergency vehicle operator course). He has also
assisted the department with maintaining standards in the NY State Accreditation
Program.
Officer Amanda Gauthier was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant on
Saturday, August 17, 2024. Sergeant Gauthier is replacing Sergeant Christopher
Kamide, who was promoted to Lieutenant. Sergeant Gauthier is a 12-year veteran
of the department, having begun her career on October 5, 2012. She was assigned as a patrol officer on the “C” platoon. On August 30, 2021, she was assigned as an SRO (school resource officer) at Case Middle School. She continued in that capacity until her promotion to Sergeant. She is assigned as the first-line supervisor for the overnight shift on the “D” Platoon.
During her career, Sergeant Gauthier has performed additional duties as an FTO
(field training officer), a peer-support team member, a general-topics instructor, a
special topics instructor (certifications in officer wellness, domestic violence and
crisis intervention). She has additional training in the basic and advanced SRO
schools and in juvenile aid. She was also presented a life-saving award.
