Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department Welcomes Six New Officers

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The Watertown Police Department has half a dozen new police officers patrolling the streets after the WPD’s latest recruits were sworn in on Thursday afternoon. Police Chief Michael Lawn welcomed the new officers: Megan Murphy, Kyle Rooney, Don Pham, Lauren Giordano, Michael Del Russo and Colin Geaghan. All six made it through the WPD’s vetting process, including numerous interviews, a background investigation, physical and psychological testing. Then they attended a 24-week Police Academy. The new officers have already experienced an intense situation.

Middlesex District Attorney

Middlesex DA, Watertown Police Investigating Death of Infant in Watertown

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Watertown first responders went to a call Thursday afternoon for an unresponsive infant, who was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. The cause of death is being investigated by the Chief Medical Examiner’s office. All child deaths are investigated, according to the DA’s office. Local news channels reported police activity near the Strawberry Childcare Center in the former Parker School. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the following announcement:
Today at 2:16 p.m. Watertown Police responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive infant on Watertown Street in Watertown.

Police/Fire

Police: Motorcycle Owners Be Aware, Thieves Targeting Specific Brand of Bike

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Watertown Police warn that two identical types of motorcycles were stolen from outside homes in town last week. 

On the evening of Aug. 24 into the 25th, two red Ducati Hypermotard motorcycles were stolen, according to Watertown Police Sgt. Thomas Grady. Both were 2013 models. “Residents are advised to make sure their motorcycles are locked up and properly secured,” Grady said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Looking for Residents for Citizen Police Academy

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This fall, the Watertown Police Department will once again host the Citizen Police Academy, and residents are invited to register. The 2018 Citizen Police Academy will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 18, and will run one night a week for eight weeks from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Applications must be received by Sept. 10, 2018. Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn sent out the following letter:
As the Watertown Police Department advances its community policing efforts, it is important to have citizen-police interaction and cooperation.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Signs Off for Last Time, Hear His Police Radio Farewell

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Watertown Police Officer David Gilchrist did not want a big deal made about his last shift before retirement, so his fellow officers gave him a final farewell via the Police Radio. Gilchrist, who worked on the overnight shift his entire career, completed his last shift Wednesday morning after serving the residents of Watertown for more than 32 years. The Watertown Police captured this moment and shared it on its Facebook page. See and hear it below:

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Department will be Assessed for Re-Accreditation

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Chief Michael Lawn is pleased to announce that a team of assessors from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is scheduled to arrive on June 26, 2018, to begin examining various aspects of the Watertown Police Department’s policies and procedures, operations and facilities. Verification by the Assessment Team that the Department meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain state Accreditation — a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession. The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program consists of 257 mandatory standards as well as 125 optional standards. In order to achieve accreditation status, the Department must meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as 75 of the optional standards. Achieving Accreditation is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

Police/Fire

Police Want to Make Immigrants Feel Welcome, Cut Down on Drugs in Town

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Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn hopes to make the town welcoming to most people, including immigrants, but he wants officers to put more emphasis on enforcing traffic infractions as part of an effort to cut down on the amount of drugs in the area. 

Lawn spoke about the Police Department’s priorities during the budget hearing in front of the Town Council on Saturday. Since he became Police Chief two years ago Lawn has put an emphasis on community policing. “I want officers to get out of their car and get into stores and on the street and speak with people,” Lawn said. The Police Department has a number of programs where residents can meet police  in and participate in fun activities, such as the Cops & Rec sports activities for youngsters, the twice-monthly Coffee with the Chief at the Senior Center, and the Citizens Police Academy (which will be back this fall). Lawn wants to start offering a similar academy for youth, a program that the WPD used to offer and which Lawn himself attended.

Around Town

Registration Open for Cops & Rec Basketball, Hockey and Rock Climbing

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Children can get to know members of the Watertown Police Department and have some fun during the Cops & Rec programs.

There are three programs which are filled on a first come, first served basis. Register for the programs online by clicking here, or in person at the Recreation Office in Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. Cops & Rec Basketball League

The Watertown Recreation and Police Department are collaborating to offer a summer basketball league. The general objectives of the program are to promote sportsmanship and teamwork in a fun and positive setting, while focusing on basketball fundamentals. There will be a girls league and a boys league.