Ipswich police

Ipswich Police Officer Bids Farewell to Former K-9 Partner

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Ipswich Police Patch

Ipswich Police Department
Paul A. Nikas, Chief of Police
15 Elm St.
Ipswich, MA 01938

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 12, 2018

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

Ipswich Police Officer Bids Farewell to Former K-9 Partner

IPSWICH — Officer Daniel Holway and his Ipswich Police colleagues are mourning the passing of Officer Holway’s retired K-9 partner, Miso.

Officer Holway and Miso worked together as partners for eight years when both were members of the Acton Police Department, from 2007 until Miso’s retirement in 2015. Officer Holway transferred to the Ipswich Police Department shortly after Miso’s career came to an end.

Miso passed away on June 30 following a battle with degenerative myelopathy, a nerve disorder to which German Shepards are prone.

Over the eight years they served Acton, Officer Holway and Miso worked with area cities, towns, SWAT teams and special task forces. They located wanted fugitives, felons, fleeing suspects, children, special needs patients and elderly citizens. Working closely with a HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force they were involved in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of marijuana, kilos of cocaine, heroin, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit drug money.

In their journey together, they received multiple certifications through the Boston Police Canine Academy, the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA), and the International Police Working Dog Association (IPWDA), along with other accolades. 

Officer Holway and Miso were also honored as Employees of the Year by the town of Acton in 2013. Over the years, they performed demonstrations for schools, camps, citizen police academies, and department youth police academies. They also educated the public on the capabilities and functions of a K-9 team.

Miso adjusted well to retired life after suffering an injury on duty. He enjoyed a less strict diet that featured an increase in his treat allowance, loved chasing chickens, playing with his favorite toys and lounging in the grass. 

“There was absolutely nothing he couldn’t do and he always made me look like I knew what I was doing,” Officer Holway said. “If I had trained him to drive — and there were nights that he tried — I would have been out of a job.”

Throughout his lifetime, Miso benefited from the generosity and care of Especially for Pets of Acton, which donated food, toys and discounts for him, and the Great Road Veterinary Hospital in Acton, which donated lifelong care that kept Miso happy and healthy for 11 years. 

“Thanks to all of the employees of the Acton Police Department, and to the cities, towns and task forces who called us over the years when you needed assistance or mutual aid,” Officer Holway said. “It was a pleasure serving you. Thanks also to the owners and staff at Palmer Kennels who had the pleasure — or not– of boarding Miso over the years. Finally, a special thank you to the employees of the Ipswich Police Department for their support during this difficult time.” 

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Ipswich Police to Host Prescription Drug Take Back Day and Touch-a-Truck Event

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Ipswich Police Patch

Ipswich Police Department
Paul A. Nikas, Chief of Police
15 Elm St.
Ipswich, MA 01938

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

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

Ipswich Police to Host Prescription Drug Take Back Day and Touch-a-Truck Event

IPSWICH — Chief Paul Nikas is pleased to announce that the Ipswich Police Department and Ipswich Aware are teaming up to host a Prescription Drug Take Back Day and Touch-A-Truck event later this month.

The day of events promises to bring together the community to get up close and personal with trucks and public safety vehicles, as well as receive vital information and resources about expired and unwanted prescription drugs.

When:

Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where:

Ipswich High School, 134 High St.

Who:

  • Ipswich Aware, a multi-disciplinary collaborative of key stakeholders throughout Ipswich working to address the issue of drug addiction in the community
  • Members of the Ipswich Police Department and other town leaders

What:

The Ipswich Police Department will be providing safe and secure prescription drug disposal for all members of the Ipswich community.

At the same time, Touch-A-Truck brings your child’s favorite public safety and construction vehicles to life so children can learn about local police, fire and emergency services while exploring real-life fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles.

“This event has become a tradition for us, and I look forward to seeing as many families as possible,” Chief Nikas said. “We think it’s great to combine a fun, family-friendly event with important work providing a safe way for residents to surrender their unwanted and unneeded drugs to ensure those potentially deadly and addictive medicines don’t end up in the wrong hands.”

National Drug Take Back Day, which is organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, is designed to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Residents should note that liquids, needles or sharps will not be accepted.

Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans improperly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

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Ipswich Police Investigating Suspicious Incident

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Ipswich Police Patch

Ipswich Police Department
Paul A. Nikas, Chief of Police
15 Elm St.
Ipswich, MA 01938

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 29, 2018

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

Ipswich Police Investigating Suspicious Incident

The gold van shown in a still image from surveillance footage is believed to have been involved in a suspicious incident near Ipswich High School. (Courtesy Photo Ipswich Police)

IPSWICH – Acting Chief Jonathan Hubbard reports that the Ipswich Police Department is investigating a suspicious incident that occurred yesterday afternoon near Ipswich High School.

On Wednesday, March 28, at approximately 6 p.m., Ipswich Police were dispatched to a report of a suspicious incident in the area of Currier Park and Avery Street. Upon arrival, officers learned that a gold colored minivan with its side door open pulled over near two children who were riding bicycles.

Witnesses reported that the van drove away after the occupants, who were described as elderly, saw a parent nearby. The occupants of the van did not say anything to the children before driving away.

No license plate was provided, but the van was described as having a tire tied to its roof.

Ipswich Police are actively investigating, and anyone who has witnessed a similar incident or is familiar with the van is asked to contact the department at 978-356-4343.

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Ipswich Police Partner With Peer Departments to Address Addiction and Mental Health

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Ipswich Police Patch

Ipswich Police Department
Paul A. Nikas, Chief of Police
15 Elm St.
Ipswich, MA 01938

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018

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

Ipswich Police Partner With Peer Departments to Address Addiction and Mental Health

IPSWICH – Chief Paul Nikas is pleased to announce that the Ipswich Police Department has partnered with five North Shore law enforcement agencies in a Jail Arrest Diversion Program after the City of Beverly received a $90,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

This collaborative partnership grant will be shared among the Ipswich, Beverly, Gloucester, Essex, Manchester and Rockport Police Departments and support the hiring of a full-time co-responder clinician who will help police by answering calls involving individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues.

The goal of this program is to divert people from arrest and to promote treatment interventions as an alternative to further justice system involvement. Longstanding affiliations with regional providers such as Lahey Health Behavioral Services and Eliot Community Human Services create a strong capacity to leverage health provider and treatment services.

The co-responder clinician will be based at the Beverly and Gloucester Police Departments, providing responses as needed to all six member communities. The six partnering communities represent a geographic area of 158 square miles and comprise a shared population of approximately 100,000 people.

“We’re committed to pursuing every possible avenue to better serve the people in our community struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders,” Chief Nikas said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join this collaborative effort with our law enforcement partners on the North Shore and am optimistic about the impact it will have on our community.”

This new program will bolster the Ipswich Police Department’s ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis, including its pre-existing partnership with the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative and the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation to fund the work of a part-time recovery coach who works directly with Ipswich residents.

“We thank the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health for this generous collaborative grant to support law enforcement who respond to situations involving individuals with mental health and/or substance use issues,” Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill said. “It’s important to divert individuals with behavioral health issues away from the criminal justice system and toward appropriate treatment and recovery services.”

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