Police/Fire

Watertown Police Captain to Serve as Provisional Chief

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Watertown PoliceThomas Rocca has been named the Provisional Police Chief beginning June 4, 2022. The City of Watertown announced the appointment of a provisional Police Chief who will lead the department after Chief Michael Lawn retires until a new chief is appointed. The City sent out the following statement:

“Congratulations to Captain Thomas F. Rocca for being appointed to the position of Provisional Police Chief, effective Saturday, June 4, 2022, until such time as a Permanent Police Chief is selected.”

Police/Fire

Still Time to Register for Sunday’s Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K Run/Walk

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Those interested in taking part in the Watertown Police Department’s Finish Strong 5K Run and Walk can still register. The event begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 22. The Watertown Police Finish Strong 5k Run/Walk begins and finishes at City Works, in Arsenal Yards, 91 Arsenal Yards Blvd. in Watertown. The course is fast and fairly flat 3.1 miles (5 km), and there will be prizes for the top male/female finishers plus various age categories.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn Announces His Retirement

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. Chief Michael Lawn will be retiring in early June after six years leading the Watertown Police Department and 32 years working for the WPD. On April 19, Lawn sent a letter to acting Town Manager Tom Tracy informing him of his decision to retire on June 3, 2022. “I started my career with the WPD on October 30, 1989. I have enjoyed my thirty-two plus years working for the WPD and serving the City of Watertown where I grew up,” the letter reads.

Around Town

Watertown Police Selling Patches for Autism Awareness Month

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

The WPD is proud and excited to be joining several other Massachusetts Police Departments in partnering with the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month and to honor this, we will be selling our newly created Watertown Police Autism Acceptance Patches. One hundred percent of all proceeds will be directly donated to the Flutie Foundation. There are several ways to purchase our patches and help support this awesome foundation:

1. Stop by our front window anytime through April 30th and buy a patch, cash, or check accepted.

Homepage Featured

Woman Stabbed Multiple Times, Police Determine It Was a Domestic Incident

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A woman suffered multiple stab wounds during an altercation that took place on Monday, March 21 on Cuba Street in Watertown. Watertown Police say the incident has been ruled domestic in nature. At about 8:33 p.m. on March 21, the Watertown Police received multiple reports of a disturbance on Cuba Street. Officers located a 35-year-old woman who had been stabbed multiple times. The Watertown Fire Department gave her medical aid and took her to a Boston hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Around Town

Watertown Police Fun Run Returns in 2022, See How to Join

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The Watertown Police Department announced the return of the WPD Finish Strong 5K after a two-year break. The event will be held on Sunday, May 22. There will be a few changes, including the location of the start/finish line. This year it will begin at one of the new eateries at Arsenal Yards. The Watertown Police sent out the following announcement:

Calling all runners, walkers, and spectators.

Homepage Featured

Watertown Police Arrest Man Who Smashed Cruiser Windshield, Punched Two Officers

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A Watertown man faces multiple charges after he smashed the windshield of a Police car and punched two police officers before he was talked down and placed under arrest early Thursday morning. One of the officers went to the hospital to have a broken nose treated, and the man was determined to have a history of mental issues, according to Watertown Police Lt. James O’Connor. Shortly after 3 a.m. on Feb. 17, officers at the Watertown Police Station spotted a man on security cameras coming down the driveway and walking up to a cruiser parked near the city park in back of the Police Station. He then hit the windshield of the car several times with what was later discovered to be a hammer.

Around Town

LETTER: Former Watertown Middle School Teacher Looks to Heal, Rebuild Relationships in Spirit of MLK Jr.

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The following letter was written to you, my Watertown community, almost a year ago. It was written upon Watertown News’ request for a statement from me on March 5th, 2021. As an employee of the Watertown Public Schools, I was not permitted to make such a statement at any time over the past year. Having now resigned from WPS, I would love the opportunity to share my thoughts with you and hopefully work towards some healing and rebuilding of the fractured relationships that last year’s incidents engendered. I can’t think of a better time to do this than Martin Luther King Day 2022.