The year 2012 was another busy year for the police department with a total of 915 calls – up by 4 from 2011These calls break down as follows:

  • 394 miscellaneous calls (a call that requires a log entry only) – Example; power-line down, assist fire department with traffic, loose dog, assist another department – no arrest.
  • 521 calls for service (a call that needs a state incident report) – Example; assault, criminal mischief, domestic violence or a call where there is an arrest or could result in one.
  • 15 motor vehicle accidents – includes all accidents, with or without personal injury.
  • 31 burglar/fire/medical alarms – cause found or no cause found.
  • 66 case reports – these are Class A or Class B Misdemeanors or Class A felony cases.

2012 showed a slight increase in calls for service.  Motor vehicle accidents were down by 12. Alarms were up by 10 and case reports were up by 12.  Case reports are the most time consuming.

The department was involved in numerous hours of training in 2012 some at a local level and some at state and county level.  The department has to meet mandatory training every year and every other year there is additional training.  This year I spent close to 100 hours training or recertifying for various levels of certification.  I am also the liaison for the town 911 as well as the chairman of the town safety committee.

The department has seen an increase in case reports and it seems to be the trend all over the area.  I continue to ask that when you see something that may be nothing or out the ordinary to make a phone call to the station or the dispatch center (355-2000).  Things that we never thought would be a problem a few years ago seem to have made it to this area.  This department spent countless hours on investigations and regional meetings working on these cases.  There seems to be no shortage of new ones.  I urge everyone to look out for your neighbors.

I would like to thank Vira Elder, Lenny Emond and Dana Hennessy for assisting me in the police department.  I would also like to thank the other town departments and Selectmen for their continued support.  I look forward to serving the town in 2013 and my continued work with the other town  departments.

Respectfully submitted,

Chief Russell J. Driscoll