The year 2003 began with the change in leadership of the chiefs position due to the retirement of Police Chief Paul Erickson (12-14-02). Without a candidate selected, I enthusiastically accepted the role of Provisional Chief. After more than 30 years with the Police Department, I knew that this adjustment should be seamless to the citizens of East Longmeadow. With the help of the dedicated team already in place and the coordination of all the other town departments, especially the Selectmen, I can proudly say that we accomplished this task. Along with a consistent level of service, many changes and developments have taken place in the department that enhance our services in a technical, medical and human resources nature.
People within the department are the most important ingredient to our success. This was exhibited with the promotion of Officer Richard Bates to Sergeant, in November. His length of service, his excellent performance and his dedication to the safety and D.A.R.E. programs made this promotion a benefit for the department and the town. Additionally, Officer Joseph Barone was recognized as Officer of the Year on Police Day in Springfield. This award is given to officers in Western Massachusetts who exhibit superior policing skills and strong contributions to their department. Kudos goes to both of these officers for their accomplishments.
To assist with the duties of the department, three Permanent Intermittent Officers were appointed in January 2001. These officers were finally able to be utilized beginning in July 2003 to augment the existing department in areas that focused on traffic control. Officers Atwater, Manley, and Niznik have been beneficial in assisting in times of staffing shortages. Additionally, the search for the permanent chief continues with the recent voting by the town to remove the office from Civil Service. This will serve to allow more control and a greater pool of candidates for the Selectmen to make their decision.
Technological advances were great within the department over the past year. Five AED (automatic external defribulators) were purchased and are resident in every patrol car. All officers are trained in utilizing these units, which provide vital assistance during first response of coronary arrest. All of our firearm capability has also been reevaluated and upgraded based on Homeland Security requirements. This includes all radio, electronic, surveillance, and security systems. We are also close to implementing cutting-edge technology called the Community Notification System. This allows geographic emergency notification from the Police Department outgoing to the residents of East Longmeadow to inform of minor problems or major disasters. It will allow the police personnel to record a message and have it sent by phone to certain geographic areas or to the entire town.
Lastly, the maintenance and upkeep of our fleet and our physical plant has also been top of mind. We are ensuring now and in the future that our patrol cars are top-performers to respond to the more than ten thousand calls we receive each year. We are seeing an increase in motor vehicle crashes up some 20% over last year and our timeliness and ability to respond to those in a swift and efficient manner relies upon the performance of our equipment. Additionally, the beautification of the building will continue in the Spring and Summer of this year to include both the exterior and interior of the property. Creature comforts will be addressed as well with the addition of a roof-mounted HVAC unit that is being replaced after more than 30 years of service.
In closing, I cannot stress enough how enjoyable this year has been as the Provisional Chief and how much I appreciate the coordination and cooperation of the department, the Selectmen and other town offices in making this year a success. The community is of utmost importance to me and to the entire Police Department and being able to host our first Annual Open House was a great opportunity to show that. With the Fire Department and many community organizations we shared a wonderful day of safety information and fun that culminated with the arrival of the Massachusetts State Police helicopter. I'm glad I was able to spearhead that event and hope to continue outreach into the community. My door is always open for your concerns and more importantly the department is available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week to ensure your safety and security.
