To the Honorable Town Council and Citizens of Bridgewater,
It is my privilege to present the Annual Town Report for the Bridgewater Police
Department for the year ending December 31, 2013. This is the department’s first report since
2009 and my first since being appointed permanent Chief of Police on September 1, 2010.
As with other areas of government, we have experienced unprecedented and devastating
personnel reductions over the past five years (approximately 30%), including nine (9) police
officers in FY 2010/11 (four (4) retirements and five (5) full-time police officer lay-offs). We also
issued more than thirty (30) lay-off notices during the same time period, some to the same
officers. However, with the support of the Town Council and Town Manager, I am pleased to
report we are making progress towards restoring desperately needed staffing consistent with
the Five Year Recovery Staffing Plan (January 2011).
The following officers retired during that time: 2009 – Chief George K. Gurley (38 years of
service) and Robert A. Fernandes, Jr. (21 years of service); 2010 – Acting Chief Michael J. Bois (31
years of service); 2011 – Officer Robert E. Rae (32 years of service) and Officer John J. Hobson (26
years of service). I would like to thank these professionals for their many years of dedicated service
to the department and community.
Following these retirements, in 2011 Sgt. Thomas Schlatz was promoted to the rank of
Lieutenant and Officer Anne Schuster was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant. In 2012,
Detective Carl MacDermott was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant. I would like to congratulate
these officers for their well-deserved promotions.
In 2012, we welcomed full-time permanent replacement Officers Peter J. Balboni, Matthew
J. Snow, and Tyler D. Field. In 2013, we also welcomed Officers Kyle B. Montagano and Ryan H.
Thayer. At the close of 2013, Ryan P. McGowan and Matthew R. MacFadzen were officers-intraining
and still completing police academy basic training before field training with a senior officer.
The full-time background, selection, police academy and field training process for new police
officers takes approximately one (1) year to complete.
We have thirty-five (35) full-time police officers, including the Chief, serving our
community of approximately 27,000 residents:
Lieutenant Thomas J. Schlatz Sergeant Robert D. Irving
Sergeant Lawrence J. Bresciani Sergeant Thomas G. LaGrasta
Sergeant Willis C. Griffiths, Jr. Detective Sergeant Anne M. Schuster
Sergeant Carl H. MacDermott, III Officer Michael J. Botelho
Officer William R. Lemanski Officer Dennis G. McLean
Officer Joseph D. DeMoura Court Prosecutor/Officer Christopher A. Shaw
Detective Robert J. Bailey Officer George M. Zanellato
Officer Deane F. Ferioli Officer Stephen W. McGinn
Officer Matthew J. Lynch Officer Robert F. Gray
Canine Officer Steven L. Kingsley School Resource Officer Lisa M. Mitton
Officer Kelly A. Chuilli Officer David J. Silvia
Officer Kevin J. Crowley Officer Joseph J. Parmeggiani
Officer Scott R. Hile Officer James M. Coyle
Officer John J. Hennessey, III Officer Peter J. Balboni, Jr.
Officer Matthew J. Snow Officer Tyler D. Field
Officer Kyle B. Montagano Officer Ryan H. Thayer
Officer Ryan P. McGowan (Academy) Officer Matthew R. MacFadzen (Academy)
We remain active members of the regional W.E.B. Major Crimes and Drug Task Force (West
& East Bridgewater, Bridgewater, Whitman and Bridgewater State University), as well as the
Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council regional SWAT team (29 communities in
Southeastern Mass.). I would like to commend Sgt. Carl MacDermott, SEMLEC Unit Commander,
for his work in supervising this professional critical incident response resource.
Our Canine Unit, Officer Steven Kingsley and K9 Dunaj, completed their 8th year of
outstanding search and support services to the department. K9 Dunaj is approaching the end of
his service life and will be replaced in the coming year.
In 2013, through the generosity of a local health care trust, we were able to complete
installation of Automated External Defibrillator’s (AED) in all our police service vehicles. This
project was initiated in 2012 with officers trained annually on this life saving device.
Officer John “Jack” Hennessey completed the 40 hour motorcycle officer training program
coordinated by the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (MetroLEC) Mobile Operations Unit.
Officer Hennessey along with Officers William Lemanski and Dennis McLean, regularly serve as
motorcycle operations officers for special events.
Lt. Thomas Schlatz continues the department’s efforts to achieve Certification/Accreditation
through the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC). This achievement will move
our department closer to operating with all best practices and professional standards of policing for
the future.
In 2013, the Citizens Police Academy class #17 graduated following the 12 week program.
The CPA is our annual community education and outreach program for Bridgewater residents. I
would like to thank Sgt. Thomas LaGrasta for coordinating this well-received program and for all
the officers who participate each year.
We continue to commit one officer as our designated School Resource Officer, who is
assigned full-time to the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District. School Resource Officer
Lisa Mitton also participates as an Officer Instructor in the Plymouth County Drug and Alcohol
Resistance Education Summer Program which annually sponsors twenty (20) 4th and 5th grade
Bridgewater students for the week-long camp. I would like to thank Mrs. Patricia Oliari for her
many years of dedicated volunteer work and support of this program. I would also like to thank
Officer Lisa Mitton for her work with our youth and efforts to maintain security in our schools.
In 2013, we held our 14th annual Bridgewater Police Department Thanksgiving Dinner for
Seniors which serves 180 seniors from the Bridgewater community. I would like to thank all the
officers, Citizens Police Academy graduates and volunteers who help make the event a success each
year.
In 2013, we also marked the 10th year of the opening of the new police station located at 220
Pleasant Street. The opening of this station has greatly improved our operational efficiency and
ability to serve the community.
I would like to recognize Lieutenant Thomas Schlatz for his dedication to the department in
serving as both our Executive and Operations Officer, Sergeant Carl MacDermott for his
administrative support, as well as Mrs. Jean Knight and Mrs. Paula Bracken for their reliable office
administration.
I would also like to thank Town Manager Michael Dutton, Council President Tim Fitzgibbons
and members of the Town Council, for recognizing the significance of our situation and for their
continued support throughout the year.
I would like to extend a special thank you to the men and women of the Bridgewater Police
Department who commit themselves everyday to improving the quality-of-life for all residents, and
the people of Bridgewater who continue to support us in that effort.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher D. Delmonte
Chief of Police