The Edgartown Police Department swore in its first full-time officer who speaks Portuguese on Saturday at a ceremony in the town library.
The event was the first of what Edgartown Police Chief Chris Dolby hopes will be an annual celebration. The department also celebrated officer promotions and honored public servants whose actions over the past year helped support the community.
“This job can be relentless at times…” Chief Dolby said. “I feel it’s increasingly important to have an event like this and celebrate the wins when and where we can.”
He said the department is elated to have full-time officer Gabriel Brito join the force. Mr. Brito is a member of the Island’s Brazilian community who graduated from the East Falmouth police academy just two days prior to his swearing-in. He had been a summer traffic officer the past three years.
“I hope the Brazilian community feels safer,” Mr. Brito told the Gazette. “I’m here with open arms. I want them to come to me, talk to me and not have this fear of police.”
Chief Dolby said the department also recently hired four Portuguese-speaking community service officers.
“[This] is a tremendous step towards doing betting in policing the Brazilian community and offering support,” Mr. Dolby said.
Michael Snowden, who has been a full-time officer with the department for 18 years, was promoted to lieutenant, and Jake Sylvia was promoted to sergeant.
The department also honored Sgt. Joel DeRoche, who is retiring on June 30 after 32 years working for the department.
Detective Curtis Chandler was honored for his four years on assignment, and he will be starting as the Edgartown School’s resource officer in the fall. Officer John Dacey will be taking over the detective position next month.
All three select board members showed-up to support the department.
“I’m extremely proud of everybody in Edgartown and the Edgartown police force,” said select board member Art Smadbeck.
Newly-appointed district court judge Liza Williamson also spoke. Ms. Williamson had been working in the Edgartown District Court for more than 20 years as the clerk magistrate and frequently worked with Edgartown officers.
“I have worked with dozens and dozens of police departments…” Ms. Williamson said. “This is one of, if not the, best police departments in our state.”
Trulayna Rose, a paramedic with the Edgartown Fire Department, who helped the police roll out their new EpiPen program, was awarded a plaque for her service. The program enables officers to administer epinephrine in emergency situations.
“Trulayna has been outstanding and making things simple for us in the medical field - providing outstanding training that we really need,” Chief Dolby said.
Chief Dolby also drew attention to an instance he felt was the embodiment of public service and the community coming together.
On May 3, a 72 year-old man was squidding at Memorial Wharf when he fell into the harbor late at night. Chief Dolby said other fishermen nearby came to the rescue and the man was dangling from a t-shirt as the current tried to sweep him away.
Officer Jeff Trudel and Chappaquiddick ferry captain Jeff LaMarche quickly arrived on the scene and pulled the man onto a small boat. Both were honored at the ceremony.
“This was definitely a potential life-saving incident, and one for the win column,” Chief Dolby said.
The Edgartown department responded to many difficult calls in recent months, including two where construction workers died tragically and a car accident that left three people with life altering-injuries. Chief Dolby said when there are tragedies, it can be taxing on officers’ mental health, and it is important to celebrate the good moments when they arise.
“Tough calls for service are situation we have to routinely process and work through,” Chief Dolby said. “We’re getting better these days at supporting our officers… and I believe gatherings like this, showing support for what we do as officers, is a great step in that direction.”
Comments (6)
Comments
Comment policy »