retirement

Whitman Police Chief Scott D. Benton Retires Today After 33 Years in Law Enforcement

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Whitman Police Department
Deputy Chief Timothy Hanlon
20 Essex St
Whitman, MA 02382

For Immediate Release

Monday, Sept. 16, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Police Chief Scott D. Benton Retires Today After 33 Years in Law Enforcement

WHITMAN — Deputy Chief Timothy Hanlon would like to announce the retirement today of Whitman Police Chief Scott D. Benton after a 33-year career in law enforcement.

“I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to work my way up the ranks from auxiliary police officer to chief and spend my whole career working for my hometown police department,” Chief Benton said. “I would like to think that I was a policeman who just became a chief for a while. I have always taken great pride in being a police officer and serving the people who entrust us with keeping them safe and secure. It is a very honorable profession and I am deeply grateful for my career.”

Chief Benton grew up in Whitman and graduated from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in 1982. He studied law enforcement at Massasoit Community College and holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from Western New England College. In 2014, he earned his master’s degree in criminal justice from Curry College.

Throughout the years, Chief Benton fulfilled several roles and responsibilities for the WPD including: sergeant, detective, shift supervisor, evidence officer, liquor license inspection agent, police prosecutor and deputy chief. He was named chief in 2012.

He was also the town’s first DARE officer, he served as a control chief for the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Motorcycle Operations Patrol Unit, served on the Plymouth County Police Chief’s Drug Task Force, was a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, was deputy director of security for the Whitman Emergency Management Agency and was a member of the Police Station Building Committee.

During his time as chief, Chief Benton is proud to have made several improvements to the equipment and technology used by the department including firearms, introducing Tasers, upgrading portables and upgrading radio communications from analog to digital.

One of his favorite highlights of his career was when he attended the FBI National Academy in 2009.

In retirement, Chief Benton plans to spend more time with his family, play more golf and travel. He also plans to do part-time work in the private sector.

Chief Benton and his wife, Kathie, have four children: Ryan Benton, age 28, who is a Whitman firefighter, Meghan Benton, age 27, Jillian Benton, age 23 and Kenny Benton, age 13.

“I’m happy to be retiring on my own terms and I feel good knowing that I’ve done it my way,” Chief Benton said. “But, I’m not the only one that’s been on this journey. My family has had to live it too. My kids. My wife. I’m fortunate that my wife is as strong as she is and was always there and supportive. This is just as much her retirement as it is mine and I’m looking forward to spending more time with her and our children.”

Following his retirement, Deputy Chief Hanlon will take over duties as chief with Sgt. Joseph Bombardier taking over the role of deputy chief.

“I’m going to miss the connections and some of the lifelong relationships that I’ve made over the years,” Chief Benton said. “Especially when it comes to the people I work with. Tim Hanlon and I have shared many professional and personal moments together and he has become a very dear friend. He is someone that I have a great amount of respect and admiration for as well as being the person that I could always count on. I was very lucky to have had him as deputy chief and the town is in great hands knowing that he will take over as chief once I’m gone.”

There are several people Chief Benton would like to personally thank and recognize who have supported him throughout the years:

  • Katrina Patton served as Chief Benton’s administrative assistant and he said she is the most valuable person in the building. “I always used to tell people that Katrina is really the chief and I just sit in the chief’s office. There is no question in my mind that without her professionalism, dedication and expertise I would never have survived in my position as chief,” Chief Benton said.
  • Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Grenno – “I was very fortunate to work beside Fire Chief Tim Grenno, who has become a very good friend. He is, without question, one of the most consummate professionals in public safety and he never failed to provide clear solutions and direction to whatever incident or situation that we were dealing with,” Chief Benton said. “The Town of Whitman is very lucky to have him and I know that he and Tim Hanlon will make a great team.”
  • Sergeant Harry D. Bates – “Sgt. Bates was instrumental in my career. He listened to a kid who had a dream to be a police officer and he put me in a position to realize that dream. Over the years his advice and wisdom was invaluable to me and more importantly he treated me like a son and I will be forever grateful for that.
  • Richard Rosen – “Rich has been a great supporter and friend who has given me perspective when dealing with certain issues that only he can. He was a selectman and is very active on many committees as well as being a very successful business owner. He is also a lifelong resident of Whitman. He was able to provide sound advice because he certainly has the background and has seen it all. I greatly appreciate his support over the years as well as his friendship.”
  • Whitman IT Director Josh MacNeil – “In public safety, technology is one of our most important resources and something that we must have at all times to ensure officer safety,” Chief Benton said. “Without IT Director Josh MacNeil the police department would have been devastated in the area of technology infrastructure and communications. I believe the most important and impactful hire for the Town of Whitman in at least the last 10 years was Josh. His knowledge, tireless dedication, devotion and professionalism is unparalleled. I am very fortunate that I got to work with Josh and he is someone who I consider a close friend.”
  • Paul Benton, Chief Benton’s Father – “Today is also bittersweet because my dad is not here. I chose his birthday to retire because I know that he would have liked that. He passed away last October and not a day goes by that I don’t think of him a hundred times a day, but I know that he is looking down with a smile on his face.”
  • Other people that Chief Benton would like to thank are Lt. Christine May-Stafford, Records Clerk Tracy Briggs, Matron and Clerk of the Works Joyce Gunter, Auxiliary Supervisor John Cannizzo, Joe Gilder and Benjamin Paulin and the team at John Guilfoil Public Relations.

“It’s the people that you work with that help you be successful and I am very fortunate to have so many people who have helped me along the way,” Chief Benton said.

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Concord Police Detective Retires Following 31 Years in Policing

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Concord Police Department
Chief Joseph O’Connor
219 Walden Street
P.O. Box 519
Concord, MA 01742

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Concord Police Detective Retires Following 31 Years in Policing

CONCORD — Chief Joseph O’Connor announces that Detective Scott. J. Camilleri is retiring from the Concord Police Department after a 31-year career in policing.

Today is Detective Camilleri’s last day, after serving the Concord Police Department for 25 years. Before he joined the Concord Police Department in November 1993, he served with the Boxborough and Littleton Police Departments.

The Concord Police Department celebrated Detective Camilleri’s career and retirement on Thursday, Aug. 1, at a retirement reception at its Walden Street headquarters. Detective Camilleri was presented with an award at the event, recognizing his years of service to the department and the Town of Concord.

“Detective Camilleri has positively impacted a countless amount of people,” Chief O’Connor said. “He is retiring from the Department with more than 31 years of service, 25 with the Concord Police Department. He has been an exemplary asset to our department, and has been an incredible resource to our community in promoting safety and helping those in need. Please join us in wishing him well in his retirement.”

During his career in Concord, Detective Camilleri was appointed as an Inspector and Community Police Officer in 1997, and he coordinated community policing programs in partnership with Concord Public Schools and Concord-Carlisle Regional School District. He also served as a D.A.R.E. Officer, Elder Affairs Officer and a liaison to the Concord Council on Aging.

Detective Camilleri was promoted to Detective in January 2000, and was also named School Resource Officer. He worked with public and private schools to implement safety programs, and also became responsible for investigations and juvenile case management.

Throughout his career, he was well known by residents as “Officer Scott.”

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Raynham Fire Chief James Januse Celebrates Retirement after 49 Years

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Raynham Fire Department
Chief James T. Januse
37 Orchard St.,
Raynham, MA 02767

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 28, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Raynham Fire Chief James Januse Celebrates Retirement after 49 Years

RAYNHAM — Family, friends, colleagues, town officials and fire chiefs from around the region celebrated the upcoming retirement of Raynham Fire Chief James T. Januse today.

Chief Januse officially retires on Sunday, June 30, after 49 years as a member of the Raynham Fire Department.

He started his career as a call firefighter for the department in 1970. In 1993, he was named a full-time firefighter, a role that he held for nine years until being promoted to lieutenant in 2002. He was promoted to be the department’s chief in 2008.

For Chief Januse, even though his career with Raynham Fire began in 1970, his time with the department began much earlier, as a child, when his father Theodore Januse served as the department’s first full-time chief. Keeping the family tradition alive, Chief Januse’s son James W. Januse is currently a Firefighter/Paramedic for the department.

“The Raynham Fire Department has been a tremendous part of my life and my family’s for many, many years,” Chief Januse said. “I was honored to follow in the footsteps of my father and now to see my son working on the department makes me incredibly proud. The Raynham Fire Department is in our family’s blood.”

Chief Januse still remembers the sound of the horn on top of the Orchard Street fire station that would sound to alert all of the call firefighters in town to respond, back when the department was mostly made up of part-time on-call firefighters.

Now, Chief Januse leaves a department that he has guided into the 21st century with modern technology and top-of-the-line equipment for his firefighters. When he started as a full-time firefighter, there were four full-time firefighters per shift. As the demand for round the clock coverage in town grew, so did the fire department, which now employs 26 full-time first responders.

On Friday, a celebration of Chief Januse’s career was held at the fire station with several fire service members and town officials in attendance. As a final salute to his career, several fire chiefs from across the region rode through the department’s parking lot with their red lights flashing as a sign of respect. The ride-through is a tradition among Bristol County fire chiefs.

Deputy Chief Bryan LaCivita will take over as chief on July 1 and said Chief Januse has been instrumental in helping to guide and mentor him throughout his career.

 

“Chief has always been supportive of me and has been a great influence on my career,” Deputy Chief LaCivita said. “He was my lieutenant and I was the senior guy on his shift. When he got promoted to chief, I got promoted to lieutenant and eventually deputy chief. It’s been great to be recognized by him for my hard work and working alongside him over the years. I know I have some pretty big shoes to fill come July 1 but I’m excited and ready for the challenge.”

Once he retires, Chief Januse plans to spend more time with his family and go on more fishing trips with his friend, retired Raynham Fire Deputy Chief Denis Murphy.

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Photos and Video: Shaker Lane School Bids Farewell to Two Beloved Retirees

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Littleton Public Schools
Dr. Kelly R. Clenchy, Superintendent
33 Shattuck Street,
Littleton, MA 01460

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 10, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Shaker Lane Bids Farewell to Two Beloved Retirees

36-year Veteran Teacher Leaving Behind Same Classroom Where She Once Sat as a Student

LITTLETON — Sandy Hill first stepped into Room 106 at Shaker Lane School as a 6-year-old girl in the late 1960’s. Later this month, she’ll say goodbye to that classroom for the final time.

On Thursday, June 6, Hill — retiring after 36 years as a first grade teacher working in room 106 — and longtime Shaker Lane nurse Janice Hartford were honored for their deep impact on the Shaker Lane community during their combined 45 years at the school.

“Sandy is the kind of teacher that you hope will never retire,” Shaker Lane Principal Michelle Kane said. “She’s got just as much enthusiasm for teaching as she did on day one.” 

Her dedication to her students was plainly visible as she held back tears while addressing a room of students, parents and colleagues in the Shaker Lane library. She interrupted her remarks to point out first grader Wyatt Banister, who was skipping birthday dinner to attend his teacher’s party, and led the attendees in singing “Happy Birthday.” 

For Kane, who is finishing her second year as Shaker Lane principal, Hill and Hartford’s shared expertise has been an invaluable resource. 

“They have such a wealth of knowledge, so I tap into them all of the time,” Kane said. “Janice is the perfect elementary school nurse because she approaches her job with such compassion and patience, and it will be hard walking into the nurse’s office and not seeing her there.”

Hartford, who after spending the last nine years at Shaker Lane is nearing the end of a decades-long career, earned praise for her approach to treating students’ injuries and ailments — both real and imagined — with equal care and a bit of “magic ice.”

“While many of her patients truly come to her with an injury or illness, many appear at Janice’s door for the kind and nurturing relationship she creates with the students at Shaker Lane,” School Committee Chairman Mike Fontanella said.

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Following the formal portion of the party, which included a presentation of commendations from both chambers of the State House, Hill found herself being interrupted by a line of students wanting to give her a hug and wish her well. At the same time, Hartford was surrounded by colleagues, parents and students who will miss her gregarious presence in the nurse’s office.

“I’m not going to miss the lice and the ticks, and I’m not going to miss the EpiPens,” Hartford joked, “But I will miss the people.”

Fontanella estimated that Hill, who returned to Shaker Lane after graduating college, has had 700 students come and go from her classes over her 36-year career. For Hill, the idea that she’s finally leaving Shaker Lane behind is surreal.

“I’ve been coming here since I was 6 years old, and I just cant believe I’m leaving, but I know it’s the right thing,” Hill said. “It’s been a great ride and I look forward to coming back and finding out what everybody’s doing.”

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