Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Arlington Police Department Honors Officers and Staff
ARLINGTON — Chief Frederick Ryan is pleased to announce that the Arlington Police Department honored several of its members for their outstanding work serving the community over the course of the last year.
Employees of the Police Department and the Town of Arlington gathered last Thursday evening at The Sons of Italy Function Hall on Prentiss Road for the annual ceremony, which featured opening remarks from Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Joseph Curro, Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.
At the ceremony, Inspector Gina Bassett was named as the Arlington Police Department’s Officer of the Year.
Inspector Bassett is a 17-year Arlington Police veteran, including the last nine years as a member of its Criminal Investigation Bureau, and also serves as the department’s court prosecutor.
During recent renovations of police headquarters, the evidence room was temporarily relocated. Upon completion of construction, Inspector Bassett played an instrumental role in implementing a new barcoding system that has resulted in each piece of evidence the department’s custody having an identifying barcode affixed to it.
“Inspector Bassett has consistently displayed sound judgment, along with the highest quality of service as a police officer and creative problem solver,” Chief Ryan said. “She routinely holds herself to the highest professional standards and she plays a tremendous role in helping support the mission of the Arlington Police Department.”
Lt. Dan Kelly was honored with the department’s Excellence in Leadership Award, which is given annually to the employee who consistently serves as a role model by displaying exemplary leadership and a positive attitude.
He joined the Arlington Police Department in 1987 and developed a reputation for his quick wit and ability to see the positive side of any situation.
“Lt. Kelly is an essential part of our department, and I’m extremely grateful for the leadership he brings on a daily basis,” Chief Ryan said. “He routinely displays sound decision making and leads his platoon well by making his expectations clear and creating an atmosphere for success.”
At the end of the evening, the department also honored Jessica Walsh, the department’s civilian Special Projects Clerk, who is leaving the department to become a Medford police officer. Walsh was vital to the department in her administrative and communications role, including oversight of the department’s social media.
A number of other officers were also recognized for their work that went above and beyond the call of duty last year, including:
Employee of the Year Award: Dispatcher Michael Brydges
Top Gun Award: Officer Alexander Stotik
Certificates of Commendation:
- Officer Alexander Stotik
- Dispatcher Melisa Cadet
- Inspector Rebecca Gallagher
- Officer Scott Urquhart
- Officer Daniel Styffe
- Officer Jennifer McGurl
- Officer Joseph Canniff
- Officer Robert Smith
- Officer Thomas Kelly
- Officer Nicholas Stotik
- Officer Jessica Scearbo
- Sgt. Michael Flynn
- Inspector Chris Gallagher
- Detective Sgt. Bryan Gallagher
- Inspector James Smith
- Officer Thomas Guanci
Meritorious Service Ribbons
- Officer Paul Collins
- Officer Joseph Canniff
- Officer Brandon Wenz
- Officer John Kelley
- Officer Neil Simard
- Inspector James Smith
Life Saving Ribbons
- Officer Robert Smith
- Officer Thomas Kelly
- Officer Steven Conroy
- Sgt. Michael Flynn
- Inspector Chris Gallagher
- Officer Matthew Riley
- Officer Joseph Dunn
- Officer Michael Foley
- Officer John Kelley
- Officer Scott Urquhart
- Officer William Milner
- Officer Daniel Styffe
- Officer Alexander Stotik
“Each of these individuals are fully committed to serving others,” Chief Ryan said. “More so than any policy or regulation, they’re primarily driven by a deep understanding of the shared values of our department and a desire to do what’s right.”
The Arlington Police Department, which comprises more than 100 civilian and sworn men and women strives to be a modern and progressive public safety agency. In recent years, the department has championed a number of community-based causes, including the Restorative Justice Model, Community Policing and the Arlington Police Opiate Outreach Program, which pairs police officers and public health workers seeking to provide resources and aid to those suffering from the disease of addiction.
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