Edward G. Conley, Chief of Police
10 Central Street
Manchester by the Sea, MA 01944
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
New Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Officers Graduate from Academy
MANCHESTER BY-THE-SEA — Chief Edward Conley is very pleased to announce that Manchester’s newest police officers have graduated from the police academy and have joined the department as sworn police officers.
Officers Andrea Locke and Jennifer Gilson were were sworn in by Town Clerk Christina St. Pierre Thursday morning after they successfully completed the 29th Municipal Police Training Committee Reading Police Recruit Academy.
Academy Director Daniel May commented to Chief Conley that this class had the highest overall grade point average, across all training components, when compared to the past 11 academies.
“It is no surprise that Officers Locke and Gilson distinguished themselves throughout the recruitment, selection and training process, as both were exemplary candidates who rose to the top of a very competitive hiring process,” Chief Conley said. “I am very pleased to welcome them as full-time members of the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department.”
Officer Locke was a reserve police officer and full-time dispatcher at MPD. She has a bachelor’s degree from Curry College and is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician.
Officer Gilson was a reserve police officer, part-time dispatcher and Animal Control Officer at MPD. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a law degree from Suffolk University Law School. She is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician and admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.
Officers Locke and Gilson are the first full-time female police officers in the 121 year history of the Manchester Police Department. They were selected following an open and competitive exam process administrated by Police Exam Solutions, Inc. of Arlington. A total of 44 applicants sat for the written exam. Following the exam, which also awarded bonus point to veterans, emergency medical technicians, those with higher education and for past employment history, Gilson and Locke finished first and second on the hiring list.
Officers Locke and Gilson will now spend several weeks in a field officer training program in the community before they begin working regular shifts.
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