Chief of Police
110 Loon Hill Road
Dracut, MA 01826
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Dracut Police Department Hosts Successful Citizens Police Academy
DRACUT – Interim Chief Neil Ouellette is pleased to announce that the Dracut Police Department hosted a successful Citizens Police Academy (CPA), which concluded last week.
The CPA ran from Oct. 12 to Dec. 14, with sessions held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9 p.m. Twenty-nine residents attended the program, including Chairperson Alison Hughes of the Board of Selectmen.
As a part of the academy, participants learned about police administration and budget, recruitment and field training, drug investigations, school resource officers and dealing with juveniles, school safety, patrol operations, domestic violence, restraining and harassment orders, motor vehicle law, impaired driving, internet safety, identity theft, the K-9 program, use of force and firearms laws, and handgun safety.
The goal of CPA is to offer civilians an insight into the police department as an organization and to provide a better understanding of a Dracut police officer’s role in the community.
Participants can see firsthand the complexities of split-second decisions officers are required to make while policing the community. Additionally, the academy focused on the complexity of dealing with those afflicted by mental health and substance abuse, as police attempt to make appropriate decisions surrounding minor crimes and disorder.
The citizen academy was coordinated by Lt. Michael Fleury and Lt. Stephen Chaput. Course instructors included: Lt. Demetri Mellonakos, Lt. Peter Pappas, Sgt. Jason George, Sgt. Johnathan Seamans, Sgt. James Quealy, Officer Kerri Bushnell, Officer John Cotnoir, Officer Jon Gosselin, Officer Zack Coleman, Detective Wilmer Buote, Detective Michael Williams, Detective Megan Pike, Dispatcher Kate Charron, and Dispatcher Crystal Bewig.
“We’re always happy to see residents come out and attend these classes,” Interim Chief Ouellette said. ”It gives us a chance to teach them safety in many areas, while showing what a day in the life of a police officer is like. It is always a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”
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