Program Description

The Brookline Police Mission:

To work in partnership with the Select Board, in their capacity as Police Commissioners, the Town Administrator and community members to ensure that all people enjoy a high quality of life without fear of crime. To work together to solve problems and provide the most responsive, highest quality, fair and impartial police service. To proactively prevent crime, maintain order, and apprehend offenders, without discrimination and in a manner consistent with the law and procedural justice. Policing in Brookline shall be conducted in a bias free manner and in accordance with state statutes.

Our Values:

The Department subscribes to the following set of governing values that state its beliefs as a police organization:

1. The two most important assets of the Brookline Police Department are our personnel and the Community we serve.
2. Excellence for the members of the Brookline Police Department is based upon fairness, integrity, hard work, and professionalism in the performance of their duties.
3. Commitment to providing the highest quality of fair, impartial and professional law enforcement with the goal of enhancing the quality of life within the community.
4. Build partnerships with residents and non-residents in order to ensure personal safety, protect individual rights, protect property, and promote individual responsibility and community commitment.
5. Secure and maintain public respect in order to fulfill the Department’s duties by acknowledging that the quality of life in the community is affected by not only the absence of crime, but also by the absence of the fear of crime itself.

The Department consists of the following seven subprograms:

1. The Administration and Support Division provides overall control of the functions of the Department. It maintains records, provides upgrades in communications and technology equipment and will continue to improve all monitoring and accountability processes to ensure fair and impartial policing takes place. It also includes the Public Safety Business Office, a group responsible for all financial and budgetary matters for both the Police Department and the Fire Department. This Division also provides oversight and direction in implementing the recommendations of committees established by the Select Board or Town Meeting to improve public safety in Brookline or to aid the Select Board in carrying out its role as Police Commissioners.
2. The Patrol Division continuously patrols all sectors of Town while providing a variety of public safety services. Their efforts also serve as a deterrent to criminal activity. The Patrol function is vital and, for that reason, the Chief has directed that there be a minimum staffing policy maintained daily.
3. The Criminal Investigation Unit is responsible for the investigation of all violent crimes, including murder, rape, armed robbery, assault, and narcotic violations, and maintains the safety of all evidence. The Evidence Officer is responsible for distributing and maintaining all lethal and less than lethal weapons and related equipment.
4. The Community Services Division is charged with facilitating a spirit of cooperation between members of the public and the Department that helps to enhance the quality of life for all individuals. Housed within this Division is the Elder Affairs Officer, Youth Resource Officers, Community Resource Officers, the Crisis Intervention Team (including a grant funded social worker) and the Department’s Training and Accreditation Unit which is responsible for training officers in policies and procedures including the Use of Force and De-escalation, training in the safe use of all issued equipment, state mandated trainings and various forms of elective trainings that officers are sent to.
5. The Traffic and Parking Division is responsible for educating the public and enforcing laws and regulations relating to the safe operation of motor vehicles in Brookline.
6. The Public Safety Dispatch Division is responsible for handling and dispatching all police, fire, and ambulance calls, including E-911.
7. One patrol officer serves as the Town’s Animal Control Officer. The Animal Control Officer normally works five days a week. All Brookline Police Officers are responsible for enforcing the Town’s animal control laws, and will continue to do so when the Animal Control officer is off duty.

FY2023 Accomplishments

Patrol Division:

1. Stabilized leadership in the Patrol Division with the promotion of a Division Commander, two new shift Commanders, five new Patrol Supervisors
2. Took over the Crisis Negotiation Team in order to work in conjunction with the Special Response Team. Opened up opportunities in both teams with selection currently in progress.
3. Created Notification Criteria for the Patrol Division to ensure communication, command, and control are utilized when necessary. Placing special emphasis on those matters that have an impact on our officers and the community. This was released in conjunction with “Patrol Division Values” which serve as standard of professionalism in the Division.
4. Reintegrated and retrained two officers that had previously lateralled to other agencies.
5. Continued new officer training and evaluations for one probationary officer.
6. Created a “Walking Beat” supervisor position to directly oversea the two day shift walking routes. This will facilitate collaboration with the Community Service Division and increase assigned route Officers participation in their assigned neighborhoods.
7. Reinstated the Honor Guard Unit to provide ceremonial functions at various events.
8. Created a Co-op position in partnership with Northeastern University to serve as an Administrative Assistant role within the Division.
9. Created Patrol Division Directives to address matters and formalize communication in a means that is preserved and easily referenced.
10. Conducted Lodging (rooming house and hotel) community meetings, license hearings, and inspections.
11. Conducted Liquor Licensing inspections, backgrounds for licenses, and attended hearings.
12. Served as the Cannabis License agent to include manager background checks, premise inspections, community and subcommittee meetings.
13. Managed all essential services of the Police Department and emergency response despite the lowest staffing levels the department has ever experienced.
14. Deployed specialty units for various events/incidents including the Patrol Warrant Unit, Patrol Bike Unit, and Special Response Team.

Investigative Services Division:

1. Assisted with 49 domestic violence incidents with victim follow-ups, warrant arrests and assisting with 209A order.
2. On-going participation in the Norfolk County High Risk Domestic Violence Team meetings
3. Detective in the Juvenile Unit attended weekly DAP (Deans and Police) meetings
4. Continued to work on prevention, intervention, diversion and engagement with the youth in the community.
5. Trained Detectives in various relevant and necessary areas to include Human trafficking, Background investigations, Homicide Investigations, Behavior Threat Assessment and Domestic Terrorism Extremist
6. Conducted a Sexual Assault investigation with grand jury indictment.
7. Followed-up on crimes that lead to identifying suspects and recovery of property.
8. Members of the Detectives Domestic Violence Unit attended and contributed to the Domestic Violence Round Table meeting/Organize Jennifer Lynch Vigil.
9. Conducted a bank robbery follow up (video, fingerprint) which led to suspect arrest.
10. Worked with Training Division on educating the Department on Juvenile processes/issues (CRA, juvenile Court, CSEC and SAIN protocol) during a segment of in-service.
11. Acted on information received pertaining to a Brookline resident in possession of multiple rifles and pistols in violation of MA Firearms law. Party had been engaged in concerning threatening behavior towards family members which heightened the immediate need for attention. Investigation led
12. Worked in collaboration with other local and state agencies to investigate an organized crew of individuals targeting high end sneaker stores after a Brookline location was targeted two times in August.
13. Worked in collaboration with other local and federal agencies to investigate an organized crew of individuals targeting high end residential homes and committing burglary, stealing high value property.
14. Detectives worked jointly to investigate an arson of an automobile and worked in collaboration with local law enforcement partners of the Boston Police.
15. Detectives identified several suspects in cases for which the Boston Police sought identifications through intelligence shared through the Boston Regional Intelligence Center.
16. Detectives worked with the federal partner agencies including the FBI Regional Computer Forensics Lab as well as the DEA – Boston Strike Force to contribute on cases on a local, national, and international scale ranging from Violent Crimes Against Children, crimes with terrorism links, gang investigations, health care/unemployment/and COVID assistance fraud, financial and white collar crimes, and narcotics/conspiracy investigations. With training through the FBI RCFL, it has allowed a Brookline Detective to receive the highest level of forensic evidence certifications and be available for any and all cases linked to Brookline. Collaborating with the DEA – Boston Strike Force has allowed the Brookline Police Department to partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration and contribute towards the fight against the opioid epidemic and the recent flood of fentanyl as well as educate local officers on trends in trafficking as well as educational aspects to prevent drug use in the youth population.

Community Service Division:

1. Increased community engagement though new and expanded programs, such as self-defense classes for women & LGBTQ youth, car seat safety inspections, a new AWARE after-school program, new JrCERT, and the BHS Citizen Police Academy
2. Continued to expand on the Family Unit and increased information sharing and support/follow-up services for residents in need.
3. Expanded the CIT program with additional clinical services and increase support for residents in crisis by working closely with Patrol Officers.
4. Trained the Public Schools of Brookline in the Options Based Response to an active threat.
5. Hosted our first National Night Out event with great success.
6. Supported major community events such as the Juneteenth Celebration, Brookline Day, Coolidge Corner Arts Festival, Summer Concerts, Porchfest, HarvestFest, and First Light.
7. Hosted a successful weeklong Summer Youth Program in August.
8. Increased Department social media efforts to further engage with the community, increase awareness as to ongoing/emerging crime and safety issues, and to educate the community on the activities of the Department.
9. Supported the Patrol Division during staffing shortages while maintaining CSD operations and necessary services.
10. Continued to be an active part of the Town’s Emergency Management Team and efforts to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recovery from emergencies in Brookline.
11. Continued to foster partnerships and collaborations with key partners in Town such as the Brookline Teen Center, the Brookline Food Pantry, Brookline Housing Authority, the Brookline Chamber of Commerce, the Brookline Rotary Club, the interfaith/religious community, Brookline Schools and youth sports programs, Safe Routes to Schools, and many Town Departments and Boards/Commissions.

Traffic and Parking Division:

1. The Traffic Division has worked on hearings by mail, in-person and on-line are back to pre-COVID levels and have been staffed and processed without concern.
2. Collected, managed and deposited a total of over $6M in revenue from parking meters and parking tickets. Continued to streamline customer service of the Traffic & Records office.
3. Managed and supervised 30 civilian employees assigned to the Traffic/Records Division and mitigated any concerns or issues that arose.
4. Successfully completed the FY23 Traffic Enforcement Grant in September which consisted of 5 enforcement mobilizations.
5. The Traffic Division played a vital role in the operation and planning for the Boston Marathon.
6. Motorcycle officers assigned to the Traffic Division developed a motorcycle training course in an effort to sharpen their riding skills and train other members of the department in motorcycle safety. Members of this unit have assisted in escorts, funerals, and town wide functions.
7. Completed an abandoned car auction with Perfection Towing and secured all funds owed to the town with assistance from the Public Safety Business Office.

Public Safety Dispatch Division:

1. Renovated the Communications Center with 4 new workstations.
2. Hired, trained and certified 5 additional Dispatchers.
3. Began the installation and testing of PURVIS – Fire Station Alerting System.
4. Ensured all Dispatchers received the State required 16- Hours continuing education training.
5. Applied and were awarded two grants through the Massachusetts State 911 Department to assist with training, renovations and funds for the Dispatch Center and its personnel.
6. Participated in the Operations of the 122nd US Open Golf Championship.
7. E911 Dispatchers received training that included courses consisting of: Improving Dispatcher Performance, Crisis Negotiations for Dispatchers, Handling Potential Suicide Calls, Basic Critical Incident Response and Rebuilding Your 911 Foundation.

Animal Control:

1. Completed Massachusetts required approved continuing education training including The Massachusetts Animal Fund Animal Control Institute's Core Competencies Training which is mandatory for all animal control officers.
2. Attended approved online and in person animal control training including: Responding to Animal Crimes through a Restorative Justice Approach: Navigating Dangerous Dog Cases; Handling Livestock; Conducting Animal Cruelty Investigations among other critical training.
3. Responded to and enforced both state and Brookline town by-law related service calls.
4. Assisted Brookline agencies, residents and outside agencies in enhancing animal control procedures.
5. Completed in-house training for front line officers for handling animal related service calls including regular training bulletins about bat protocol, dogs in hot cars etc.
6. Improved wildlife education awareness for residents to better assist in resolving wildlife related issues.
7. Selected and trained new ACO and ACO supervisor
8. Began regular meetings with the Health Department to address animal related issues in town.
9. Created ACO social media footprint to be developed and increased over the next few months.

FY 2023 Objectives

Patrol Division:

1. To increase training opportunities for new supervisors and officers, with a focus on incident management and crime scene control.
2. To reinvigorate the Department Honor Guard to increase esprit de corps and pride in our profession and Department and to have adequate members, uniform and equipment to properly represent our Department at public events.
3. To recruit, train and increase deployments and community engagement by the Bicycle Unit. To utilize the ease of this mobility to increase our ability to interact with the community and to support police operations. Goals include adding new members, purchasing new bikes and storage, and ensuring fleet maintenance.
4. To implement quarterly staff meetings with Patrol Division supervisors to ensure objectives are being met and information and expectations properly conveyed. These meetings would be led by the Patrol Deputy to discuss issues, recommendations, and performance.
5. To hire a Patrol Division Co-Op who would support administrative functions and assist with community events. This position would assist in increasing efficiencies for the Patrol Division and support Command Staff members, patrol officers and professional staff through data collection on various police functions to determine effectiveness of traffic posts, focused patrols, etc. This position would also be instrumental in helping plan and coordinate the Department’s involvement in and hosting of community events.
6. To increase membership in the Crisis Negotiation Team and the Special Response Team. To continue to train CNT and SRT members in necessary tactics, techniques, procedures and equipment for use in a crisis.
7. To focus on special projects which will assist the Patrol Division in being more efficient and to manage its work load volume, such as scheduling system updates, sector analysis, a policy/procedure review committee, an awards board to recognize outstanding work and achievements, training and information sharing.
8. Secure training funding for an insurance policy for range training. A change in policy requires Police Departments to have a separate insurance policy for range qualification and prohibits use by those that are only covered under a city/town that is self-insured. Mandatory firearms qualifications are difficult given changes in availability of Boston’s range and this change in policy for Deven’s range.

Investigative Services Division

1. Retain current detectives assigned to the Detective Division and add additional officers to make up for vacancies from the loss of officers to other departments, retirements, division changing and the promotional process. This will allow the Division to be best prepared to handle any and all crimes and particularly the most serious crimes faced with. Additional detective staffing will also allow for proactive investigations into crimes such as Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).
2. Incorporate 209A/258E orders in Larimore or other means for a way to access and track orders more quickly and easily.
3. Establish and maintain working relationships with Norfolk Country Juvenile Court System.
4. Collaborate with Domestic Violence Round Table and DA’s office on ways to educate and engage the community in the rise of cases of domestic violence.
5. Work with the Training Division on implementing domestic violence training as part of 2024 In service with concentration identified victims reporting and resources.
6. Continued training including the Cyber Crimes Conference, Intelligence and social media trends
7. Seek out additional training for Domestic Violence related issues and trends.
8. Stay updated with the most recent training for hate crimes.
9. Continue to maintain caseload, tracking and follow up investigations.
10. Continue to maintain relationships and deputizations with other agencies, community partners and stake holders.
11. Continue to conduct joint agency investigations in all criminal matters by intelligence sharing and networking with UASI partners including the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC).

Community Services Division:

1. To increase community engagement efforts through participation in Town events and programs.
2. To further developed relationships with youth in Brookline through current and new programming such as the JrCERT, the BHS Citizen Police Academy, Summer Youth Program and the After-School Program for Middle Schoolers.
3. To continue to train Town Departments and School Personnel in the Options Based Response to Active Threats as well as increase training opportunities for residents, Town partners and religious institutions.
4. To expand recruitment efforts for new officers.
5. To improve and increase outreach via social media, Department website and other means, such as newsletters, community bulletins, etc.
6. To expand the CIT clinical services into the evening.
7. To offer a Senior Citizen Police Academy to elders in Town.
8. To continue emergency preparedness efforts and education with Town entities, public and private, to ensure Brookline is successful at preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from a critical incident/emergency situation.
9. To train additional members of the community, including BHS students as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT/JrCERT) members and further support the emergency preparedness efforts of the Town and UASI region, in collaboration with the Town’s Emergency Management Team.
10. To train all members of the Department as part of the annual 48hr mandatory in-service training program and to seek out new and innovative training opportunities for officers to further their professional development.
11. To increase staffing within the Division and to engage officers from throughout the Department in community engagement opportunities.
12. To continue to meeting accreditation standards, as it moves into the 6th standard edition.
13. Explore the addition of an additional community resource dog.
14. Research innovative training platforms to upgrade/update the Department training room/space.

Traffic and Parking Division:

1. Train the new night Traffic Sergeant in accident investigation (Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced)
2. Purchase a new mobile friendly Detail system to manage assignments and payments in a more efficient and transparent fashion.
3. Remain fully staffed, including filling the open position of day motorcycle officer.
4. Identification and enforcement of crash hotspots throughout the town. The Traffic Division will deploy education and enforcement strategies while continuing to work with the Engineering Department in conductinsg and analyzing speed and roadway studies.
5. Work with other Town departments in exploring ideas to make our roads safer, including participation in the Vision Zero Coalition which is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safety, healthy and equitable mobility for all. This new and growing coalition includes community-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, civic groups and individuals representing communities across the state.
6. Continue to manage and supervise 30 civilian employees assigned to the Traffic/Records Division and mitigate any problems that arise. Meet the needs of employees to create a safe and comfortable working environment where maximum productivity and work satisfaction can be achieved.
7. Look to improve retention and recruitment of crossing guards, and to assess if there is a more effective way to schedule them for increased number of candidates.
8. As traffic volumes continue to increase to pre-pandemic levels, the Traffic Division will look to increase the amount of revenue from parking meters and parking tickets.
9. To continue the use of a newly purchased speed board.
10. The completed purchase and acquisition of 5 new police cruisers. (3 marked and 2 unmarked)
11. Assist in the planning and operation of the abandoned car auction with Perfection Towing and secure all funds owed to the town with assistance from the police business office.
12. Send all radar and LIDAR units out to be calibrated and file documentation in preparation of any future public records requests.
13. Assist in the planning and operation of the Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 17, 2023.

Public Safety Dispatch Division:

1. Continue to seek grant funding from the Massachusetts State 911 Department to assist Dispatchers with continued education training and personnel costs.
2. Hire and train 2 additional Dispatchers to be fully staffed at 16 total Dispatchers.
3. Train all Dispatchers on the PURVIS Fire Operating System.
4. Certify Dispatchers to be Communications Training Officers (CTO’s).
5. Continued work on a structured Training Manual for new hires.
6. Create updated plan with Boston 911 (Back-Up PSAP) during emergencies.
7. Seek more training and conference options for Dispatchers and Dispatch Supervisor.

Animal Control:

1. Train new Animal Control Officer (ACO) and ACO supervisor.
2. Increase collaboration with community and other departments
3. Maintain Massachusetts required animal control certification.
4. Attend approved online and in person animal control training.
5. Respond to and enforce both Massachusetts general law and Brookline town by-law related service calls.
6. Continue relationships with Brookline town agencies to enhance animal control procedures.
7. Continue to distribute animal related training bulletins and in-service training.
8. Maintain wildlife education awareness programs for residents to better assist in resolving wildlife related issues.