Friday, January 25, 2013
Wilmington officers were trained this week using a high tech trailer that allows bullets to be fired at a video screen running through a long list of police scenarios.
Wilmington Police Chief Michael Begonis recalled the weapons training he took part in when he first entered the police force. He would stand at a range, gun drawn, firing at paper targets that were moved by a hand crank as the smoke rose from the range up the stairs into the station above. Standing inside the thermal sensitive, video-based, interactive Mobile Training Center on Friday, Begonis doesn't need much more evidence on just how much things have changed. “It’s a different place from 25 years ago,” said Begonis. “If you think about one of the most critical situations in law enforcement with either the most risk or most liability, these situations where you have your handgun out and you’re taking that deadly force scenario is one of …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The conference, held in Lowell on Monday, was the first step in an effort by local and national law enforcement officials to combat premature deaths from mental health issues by corrections officers throughout the country.
Hundreds of law enforcement officials came to Lowell on Monday as part of a first effort to help address mental and occupational health issues faced by corrections officers across the country. Spearheaded by Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and the National Sheriffs’ Association, hopes were high that the information exchanged during the gathering can help build greater awareness on a profession that sees 39 percent more suicides than any other job in the United States. “For almost two years, today has been a dream of mine,” said Koutoujian, who worked on suicide prevention legislation while chairing Massachusetts House of Representatives’ Committee on Healthcare from 2003 to 2005. “Now we can begin a national discussion that needs…
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Scott Brazis will take over as special sheriff—second in command—from Patrick Murphy, who's retiring.
Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian appointed new leaders to two top positions in the Middlesex Sheriff's Office, according to an announcement sent by the sheriff's office Tuesday. Scott Brazis will take over as special sheriff, which is essentially the second in command, according to the sheriff's office. In Massachusetts, special sheriffs take over the office if the sheriff is sick, absent or otherwise unable to do the job. Brazis will replace Patrick Murphy, who is retiring Friday after 33 years with the Middlesex Sheriff's Office. Brazis has worked in Middlesex Sheriff's Office for 28 years, starting as a corrections officer and, most recently, serving as superintendent of the Middlesex Jail in Cambridge, according to the announcement. …
Friday, November 9, 2012
Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is organizing efforts to improve support programs for corrections officers.
Corrections officers face many dangers in their work environment, but none may be more serious than the stresses they endure from years of working in such an extreme setting. To improve the health and wellness of corrections officers nationwide, the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office is launching a campaign to better support officers who feel the heavy burden of their jobs. One part of the effort will be a conference to share ways to assist corrections officers facing mental or physical job-related stresses, according to the Sheriff's Office. The conference will host experts from across the country to discuss the causes and consequences stemming from a prison work environment. The Sheriff's office, in partnership with the National Sheriff…
Friday, October 19, 2012
In the scam, the man allegedly claiming to be a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office deputy claims residents will be arrested if they don't wire money to a bank.
The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens today of a telephone scam involving a man falsely claiming to work for the Civil Process Division of the office. In the scam, the man allegedly claiming to be a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office deputy working on behalf of group named ‘American Cash’ and with an out of state law firm tells the person being called he, or she, will be arrested if they do not wire money to a specific bank. The call might appear to be coming from a legitimate sheriff’s office number, but it is not. “We want citizens to be aware of this scam so they can properly protect themselves,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “These are not legitimate calls. Arrests performed by the Civil Process Division deputies …
Monday, August 22, 2011
Young Wilmington residents among local youths at the class.
Editor's Note: The following information is courtesy of the Middlesex Sheriff's Office. On Friday, Aug. 19, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office proudly recognized the Wilmington, Chelmsford, Lowell and Tewksbury graduates of the 2011 Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy. The graduation was held at the Middlesex Training Academy at 793 Boston Road in Billerica, MA. Sheriff Peter Koutoujian hosted a ceremony honoring more than 230 children from these communities. This is the highest number of cadets the Youth Academy has had during one week in its 12-year history. The cadets, ages 9 through 11, were given diplomas in recognition of their hard work and dedication to public safety. Each summer the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office …
Carl ToersBijns
8:38 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Glad to see this subject matter get the right amount of attention for correctional officers working inside prisons and large detention centers or jails.. Long overdue... maybe now they will provide enough resources to help and support those that work there. This problem has long been ignored and talking about it, making resources available and not stigmatizing those who use it is the first step … more ›