For Immediate Release

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

*Updated* Arlington Police Present Officer of the Year and Employee of the Year Awards

Note: This version includes the Civilian Service Citation awarded to Master Mechanic Robert DeRosa.

ARLINGTON– Chief Julie Flaherty is pleased to share that the Arlington Police Department recognized several of its members last week for their exemplary service to the town over the last year.

Several members of the Arlington Police Department were honored for their dedication and hard work at the department’s annual awards ceremony on Thursday, March 7 at the Sons of Italy Function Hall on Prentiss Road.

“Congratulations to all of those who were recognized at this year’s awards ceremony,” Chief Flaherty said. “These awards celebrate our officers and civilian employees who go above and beyond the call of duty, and have shown an exemplary dedication to serving the people of Arlington.”

Officer Brandon Wenz was honored with the award for the 2018 Officer of the Year.

“Through his performance and actions, it is clear that Officer Wenz genuinely cares about the public he serves and the officers he serves with,” Chief Flaherty said. “He treats every call as if it is the most important call he has been assigned, giving comfort to those he serves. He treats everyone he comes in contact with as I would want members of my family treated. He epitomizes the department image we aspire to.”

A member of the patrol division, Officer Wenz has been with the department for 11 years.

Records Clerk Suzanne Santorelli was presented with the 2018 Employee of the Year Award.

“Suzanne Santorelli has shown that she can be relied upon to consistently do an outstanding job,” Chief Flaherty said. “She is often the unsung hero working behind the scenes that makes it possible for the Support Services Division staff to excel. Her consistency and quality of work is exceptional and her dedication has not wavered since the day she began her job.”

Santorelli has worked for the department for approximately 20 years, and as the Firearms Licensing Coordinator for the Arlington Police Department has streamlined the department’s licensing process.

Additionally, the ceremony included:

Civilian Service Citation:  Master Mechanic Robert DeRosa

The Excellence in Leadership Award: Sgt. Michael Flynn

Certificates of Commendation:

• Inspector Edward DeFrancisco
• Officer Bryan White
• Officer Henry Donham
• Officer Jessica Scearbo
• Sgt. Brian Fennelly
• Officer Michael Hogan
• Officer Chad Brown
• Officer Michael Wesley
• Officer Joseph Dunn

Meritorious Service Ribbons:

• Sgt. Brian Fennelly
• Officer Michael Hogan
• Officer Dennis Mahoney

Life Saving Ribbons:

• Sgt. Brian Fennelly
• Officer Salena Zona
• Officer John Kelley
• Officer Thomas Guanci
• Officer Tenzing Dundutsang
• Sgt. David Martin
• Officer Will Milner
• Officer Nicholas Stotik.

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