In 2009, after more than 20 years of service to the town of Natick and its police department and more than 37 years in law enforcement, Chief Dennis R. Mannix retired. Chief Mannix came to Natick as Chief of Police on May 10, 1989. Over the next 20 years he would transform the Natick Police Department by improving its technology, facilities and professionalism. Chief Mannix’ tenure in Natick coincided with the emergence of personal computing and its associated technologies. He continually sought ways
to integrate technology into the police department in order to increase efficiency and better serve the citizenry. These efforts increased the amount of information available to officers and enabled them to better communicate with each other.
Although his efforts increased the amount and quality of technology available to officers, Chief Mannix believed strongly that there was no substitute for a well-trained disciplined police officer. This was evident when, in 1998, he oversaw the moving of the department and its operations from Park Street to Speen Street and finally into the new Public Safety Complex downtown. One of the most admired features of the new building was a training amphitheater which Chief Mannix dedicated and renamed the Frederick C. Conley Public Safety Training Center in honor of the late Town Administrator.
Chief Mannix’ influence was not limited to Natick. He spearheaded efforts to provide regional approaches to critical incident management which led to his earning the 2003 Theodore Mann Regional Leadership Award from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. He was also instrumental in establishing the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, a consortium of 37 communities whose collaboration brought a synergy which was invaluable to local communities who by themselves were ill equipped to handle certain demanding situations. The department wishes Chief Mannix good health and continued success in his well-deserved retirement.
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Nicholas S. Mabardy was named by the Board of Selectmen to lead the department for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Chief Mabardy has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience in a myriad of capacities including Juvenile Officer and Community Services Commander. Chief Mabardy is an FBI National Academy graduate and most recently served as the department’s Executive Officer with the rank of Lieutenant.
Department Reorganization
Chief Mabardy named Lieutenant Brian C. Grassey as his Executive Officer. In July the department underwent another reorganization to distribute additional responsibilities created by the reduction in Command Staff as a result of Chief Mabardy’s appointment. The organization as it is currently constructed is depicted below.
Marsha E. Kelly
Department Assistant Marsha E. Kelly passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 17, 2009. For more than 12 years, Ms. Kelly’s friendly manner, positive attitude and personal generosity brightened many days at the police department for employees and visitors alike. Her loss both saddened and diminished the department’s spirit.
Emergency Preparedness
Over the past two years, the police department, in conjunction with the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), has participated with federal and surrounding public safety agencies in numerous trainings, meetings and developmental exercises to test and improve the LEPC’s planning, communications, onsite incident management and emergency operations center management. In 2009, with funding provided by the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (NERAC), these efforts culminated with functional tabletop and full scale exercises.
On February 27, 2009, a functional tabletop exercise was held at the Hampton Inn in Natick. Almost 70 participants and facilitators comprised of public safety personnel from Natick, Framingham, and Wayland, as well as representatives from other town departments, MEMA, Massachusetts DEP, MetroWest Medical Center and the Natick Collection were presented with a situation involving a terrorist act with mass casualties. Participants formed role-playing breakout groups to show how they would address the situation which enabled facilitators to evaluate current capabilities, probable responses and realistic weaknesses. On September 13, 2009, the Natick Collection was gracious enough to provide an area of their facility for a full scale exercise. More than 200 participants, including Natick High School volunteers, public
safety personnel from Natick, Framingham and Wayland, representatives from MEMA, FEMA, METLEC SWAT, Natick Collection and the Natick Auxiliary Police were presented with a scenario in which two suspects began randomly shooting multiple victims before barricading themselves in the northeast wing of the Natick Collection. In addition to the
objectives established for the February exercise, participants were also evaluated on triage and hospital pre-treatment, and law enforcement operations and investigations. Although evaluators found staging, triage, intelligence development, and radio equipment to be areas of strength, they also identified areas where the emergency operations center might be improved. While one might view these scenarios as potentially far-fetched and question their applicability, the arrest, less than one month after the full scale exercise, in a nearby suburban community of an individual alleged to have planned to commit a terrorist act at a mall illustrates that one can never be too prepared.
School Resource Officer (SRO)
In an effort to build upon the success achieved through the tireless efforts of Detective Richard P. Halloran at Natick High School, the police department, in cooperation with the Natick Public Schools, established a School Resource Officer (SRO) position for the town’s middle schools. The program’s goal is to develop and enhance a rapport between students, police officers, school administrators and parents in an effort to create a healthy and safe learning environment. SRO Christian A. Rodriguez is assigned to both Kennedy Middle School and Wilson Middle School where he utilizes the National School Resource Officer Triad. The SRO’s first role is as a police officer and in this capacity provides security for staff and students, investigates crimes committed on school property, and assists both
schools with lockdown procedures. In his second role as a teacher, the SRO instructs and familiarizes students with topics such as Internet Safety, Cyber Bullying & Harassment, Coping With Peer Pressure, and Substance Abuse. In his third role as a counselor, the SRO assists school counselors and administration with mediating situations between students.
SRO Rodriguez is a member of the School Threat Assessment Response System (STARS) team and assists both middle schools with truancy issues and any behavioral issues that may affect the safety of both students and bus drivers during the school commute. Most importantly, he is available to talk with parents, students and faculty about any other issues that may arise.
Highway Safety
In 2009, the department received $17,000 in grant funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Office of Grants and Research Highway Safety Division. The funding supported selective enforcement patrols for various state enforcement initiatives such as “Click It or Ticket”, “Road Respect” and “Drunk Driving - Over The Limit, Under Arrest” and allowed for the upgrading of the department’s electronic collision diagramming equipment. The police department’s three nationally certified child passenger safety (CPS) Technicians educated parents and caregivers on safe practices in transporting children in motor vehicles while installing or inspecting 148 child safety seats. The following illustrates traffic enforcement and crash data for 2009 as
compared to 2007 and 2008 data:
Violation Breakdown 2007 2008 2009
Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions 2,382 2,006 1,714
Written Warnings 1,904 1,626 1,551
Arrests 683 469 426
Criminal Complaints 539 565 570
OUI 125 87 81
Crash Particulars
Total Crashes 977 927 825
Fatal Injury 3 1 2
Non-Fatal Injury (incapacitating) 26 27 16
Non-Fatal Injury (non-incapacitating) 72 70 54
Possible Injury 95 104 83
Court Activity
In October, the Natick District Court began operating out of the Framingham District Court. While there have been adjustments one would expect in these circumstances, it is too early to determine if there will be any long term impact on the department financially or operationally. During 2009, 1,535 complaints were forwarded to the Court for prosecution. In addition to these complaints, Records Room staff processed 1,806 offense reports, 825 motor vehicle crash reports, and 4,261 citations.
Fiscal Developments
Apart from the regular budget process, financial concerns affected many members of the department. Patrol Officers reached a settlement with the town concerning the calculation and payment of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime. However, officers receiving benefits under the Police Career Incentive Pay Program, the “Quinn Bill”, saw their benefit under this provision reduced by almost half due to lack of funding by the Legislature. Town Meeting was magnanimous enough to appropriate the balance of the funds so that officers would receive the full benefit for FY 2010, but it is unknown what the future may hold as we approach the already uncertain FY 2011 budget process.
Officer Protection
Through innovation and modernization the police department took a more progressive approach in the manner it protects its officers and citizens in 2009.
In 2007 the department first explored the potential benefits of employing the Taser Electronic Control Device (ECD). After much research, including reviewing policies of other departments regarding its use and the training of select department members, the department forwarded its proposed ECD policy to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). After receiving EOPSS approval, approximately 25 department members were trained in the appropriate use of the ECD. Most of those who participated received a voluntary exposure which served to imbue both a respect for the device and an understanding of its capabilities. After employing Smith & Wesson .40 calibers as service weapons for more than 15 years, daily exposure to the elements and the repeated discharges required in training over that time had
reduced some weapons’ reliability. Therefore, in 2009 the department began the transition to a new service weapon. The Smith & Wesson .45 caliber was chosen based on its wide acceptance among law enforcement agencies and its superior terminal ballistics. Range training and distribution of the new weapons will begin in early 2010.
Officer of the Year
For his consistent excellence in police duty throughout the year, Officer Toan V. Nguyen was named Officer of the Year for 2009. Throughout his brief tenure on the department, Officer Nguyen has consistently demonstrated an extraordinarily impressive work ethic. He has displayed particularly keen observational skills and consistently delivers a high quality work product. Officer Nguyen performs even the most difficult tasks in a calm and confident manner, beyond traditional expectations for officers with relatively minimal experience in patrol operations.
Employees of the Month
Although each member of the department continued to provide excellent police services to the community in 2009, the following department members distinguished themselves and were recognized as Employees of the Month for their efforts: • Officer Elizabeth M. Blanchard – For her determination and excellent policing skills in
the search for and locating of a stolen motor vehicle believed to have been used in an attempted bank robbery • Ms. Mary E. Carney – For persevering in her duties while, at the same time, learning the duties of her co-worker and friend following her very sudden passing • Officer James F. O’Shaughnessy – For
consistently demonstrating a willingness to extend himself for the benefit of those with whom he comes in contact
Personnel
Officers Christopher G. Showstead and James F. O’Shaughnessy graduated from the Plymouth Police Academy in March. After completion of the department’s eight week field training curriculum, both joined the department’s regular patrol force. Dispatcher Anthony J. Nigro left the department in May to pursue an alternate law enforcement career opportunity. Department Assistant Leslie H. Fitzpatrick joined the department in September.
Animal Control
Animal Control enforces state regulations and town bylaws applicable to wild and domestic animals and administers to the sick and injured animals within the town’s borders. The following is a list of Animal Control activity during 2009:
Domestic Wildlife
Unrestrained Dog Complaints 73 Sick Raccoons Reported 62
Barking Dog Complaints 64 Sick Skunks Reported 34
Dogs Struck By Motor Vehicles 9 Sick Possums Reported 21
Stray Dogs Reported 137 Sick Woodchucks Reported 3
Dog Bites Reported 14 Sick Squirrels Reported 11
Lost Dogs Reported 101 Coyote Sick Or Sighted 20
Lost Cats Reported 66 Fox Sick Or Sighted 4
Stray Cats Reported 72 Sick/Injured Birds Of Prey 5
Cats Struck By Motor Vehicles 37 Sick/Injured Waterfowl & Birds 37
Cat Bites Reported 3 Deer Struck By Motor Vehicles 27
Lost Exotic Pets 8 Deceased Animals (Roadways) 194
Informational Statistics
Animal Cruelty Cases Investigated 20
Wild Animals Removed From Dwellings 38
Citations Issued 42
Written Warnings Issued 129
Mutual Aid To Other Communities 17
Assistance Calls For Service 185
Informational Calls 112
Livestock Complaints 6
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