FROM THE CHIEF
Joe Solomon
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Originally published in the LoopWeekly August 2017
As part of my duties as the chief of police I am always evaluating ways to evolve police services while becoming more effective and efficient. During this process the need for and additional bureau within the police department became apparent. There is a significant amount of work that we do in the area of homeland security and criminal intelligence. However, this work has been assigned to different bureaus as additional assignments to be handles along with their normal bureau duties. As we constantly are evaluating and reevaluating what we do and how we do it, we look for more efficient and effective ways to provide the services to our city.
One of the recommendations that have been readily apparent during my review of our department is the need for a bureau to focus on Homeland Security and Criminal intelligence. During the budget process for the new fiscal year which began on July 1, 2017, this need was addressed and approved by Mayor Zanni and confirmed by the city council.
The Homeland Security and Criminal Intelligence bureau will focus on the safety and security of our city in the areas of Drugs, Gangs, Homeland Security and Intelligence and their effect on the quality of life of our residents and those who visit our city on a daily basis.
You may ask why does Methuen police need a Homeland Security and Criminal Intelligence Bureau? Drug dealing, gang activity and homeland security are all tied together through the criminal enterprise network and the funds that are raised through their criminal associations. This bureau will be the link between local, state and federal partners working together to develop information, analysis this information and effect enforcement actions inside and outside of Methuen. No city is an island and when it comes to the areas of drug and gang interdiction, homeland security partnerships are a key factor in the successfully interdiction of these activities.
As an additional introduction into the police department I have listed the five bureaus of the police department and their commanders
Captain McCarthy is assigned as the Criminal Investigations Bureau Commander. He oversees the Criminal Investigations division which handles all investigations of major crimes and crime scene processing. This bureau is directly responsible for the follow up to all calls for service that need additional investigation. This bureau also investigates all major crimes and serious felonies ranging from residential and business breaks to sexual assault to homicide investigations.
Captain Haggar is assigned as the Operations Bureau Commander. As such he oversees the day to day operations of the Field Operations Bureau and the communication center. This bureau is responsible for all uniformed patrols throughout the city of Methuen. They handle all calls for service and all 911 calls. Captain Haggar has four shifts that are each commanded by a Lieutenant. This bureau is comprised of 40 patrolman and 9 supervisors.
Captain Gallant is the Administrative Bureau and Support Services Bureau Commander. He oversees the records division, accounts payable and accounts receivable division, the payroll division, the court liaison and processing division and the training division. His responsibilities are divers as you can tell from the variety of responsibilities he handles.
Captain Mahoney has been promoted to Captain and commands the Community Outreach Bureau. The Community Outreach Bureau encompasses all outreach events in the city, the traffic safety unit, the school service unit and the Community Addiction Resource Engagement Services.
Captain Jajuga has been promoted to Captain and commands the new Homeland Security, Criminal Intelligence Bureau. This bureau will work hand in hand with the Emergency Management unit to coordinate issues of safety and security. Moreover, the nexus between drugs, gangs and homeland security is well known. Therefore the drug, gang and homeland security unit will be rolled into this new bureau.
With this added bureau and filling a retirement position the following police officers were promoted on July 1, 2017 to permanent supervisor roles.
Lieutenant Kevin Mahoney from Lieutenant to Captain
Lieutenant James Jajuga Jr. from Lieutenant to Captain
Sergeant Joseph Aiello from Sergeant to Lieutenant
Sergeant Ron Valliere from Sergeant to Lieutenant
Patrolman Eric DeLeon from Patrolman to Sergeant
Patrolman Dan O’Connell from Patrolman to Sergeant
Patrolman Joseph Rynne from Patrolman to Sergeant