Brookline Police of Massachusetts

Mission and Values

Program Description

The police Mission:
To work in partnership with our citizens to ensure all people will enjoy a high quality of life without fear of crime. To work together to solve problems and provide the most responsive and highest quality police service. To proactively prevent crime, maintain order, and apprehend offenders in a manner consistent with the law.

Our Values:
The Department subscribes to a set of governing values that state its beliefs as a police organization. They are as follows:

The most important asset of a Police Organization is its personnel.
Excellence for the members of the Brookline Police Department is based upon fairness, integrity, hard work, and professionalism in the performance of their duties.
Commitment to providing the highest quality of professional law enforcement with the goal of enhancing the quality of life within the community.
Build partnerships with citizens in order to ensure personal safety, protect individual rights, protect property, and promote individual responsibility and community commitment.
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 fear of crime, but also by the absence of crime itself.

The Department consists of the following seven subprograms:

The Administration and Support Unit provides overall control of the functions of the Department. It maintains, records, provides communication equipment and trains personnel in its uses, and distributes weapons and supplies.
The Patrol Division continuously patrols all sectors of town looking for criminal activity and serves as a deterrent by its presence. The Patrol function is vital and, for that reason, the Chief has directed that there be a minimum staffing policy maintained daily: during the day 17 officers are on duty; during the evening there are 14 officers; and during the late night and early morning shifts there are 13 officers.
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 Community Relations Division is charged with facilitating a spirit of cooperation between the public and the Department that helps enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
The Traffic and Parking Division is responsible for enforcing all laws and regulations relating to traffic within the town.
The Public Safety Dispatch Sub-program consists of the once separate Police and Fire dispatch operations. With the construction of the new Public Safety Headquarters, there is one facility handling all police, fire, and ambulance calls, including E-911.

FY2005 Accomplishments

Administration

Used various tactics, including crime analysis, saturation patrol, etc, to target specific crime patterns as they were developing. Succeeded in keeping the crime rate low.
The department created a detective position of Intelligence Analyst in the Detective Division. This detective has received training in basic Intelligence Analysis and also Foundations of Intelligence Analysis. The detective had been temporarily assigned to the Boston Police Department Tactictical Intelligence Center for on the job training and to observe methods of operation of an ongoing unit. The detective also established a rapport and working relationship with the detectives assigned to the Boston Police Intelligence Unit. The department sought and was awarded a Byrne JAG grant to help fund a new in-house intelligence software program needed to work with our current databases. This is currently being developed. At this time, we are on line with the state HSIN-Homeland Security Information Network, regional intelligence data bas RISS through our partner NESPIN and the national data base LEO (Law Enforcement On-Line).
Met and exceeded every requirement of the IACP Chief’s Challenge. We received an award for having one the top three most advanced traffic safety programs, for a department our size, in the United States.
Implemented a Department wide e-mail system.
Added a sergeant to our division to oversee the departments Homeland Security operations.

Patrol

Used problem-solving tools to deal with quality of life issues.
Utilized alternative patrol methods, such as unmarked vehicles, saturation patrols, etc. to deal with emerging crime patterns.
Worked with other divisions to strengthen the partnership with local businesses.

Criminal Investigation

Detectives received specialized training in interview and interrogation, Blue Team/ Red Team Advanced Arson Investigation, F.B.I. Bomb, Explosive and Evidence Recovery training, DNA and Blood evidence recovery and collection training. One Detective Supervisor was temporarily assigned to the Boston Police city Wide Drug Unit and a Detective was assigned with the Governor’s Auto Theft Strike Force to increase their specialized skills. This was in addition to the training received y the new intelligence analyst.
All Detectives received updated training and certification from the MA State Police Crime Lab in Collection and Preservation of Potential DNA evidence.
The evidence officer has been receiving in-house departmental training to elevate the officer’s competency in crime scene work and evidentiary issues. The Crime Scene Unit and evidence officer is now being deployed with general investigators to the execution of search warrants to increase our accuracy in the collection and documentation of evidence and shorten the chain of custody. This also allows investigators to concentrate on searches, suspects and statements. Crime Scene Unit officers were issued new multi-purpose uniforms to assist in carrying our their day to day duties and to make them instantly recognizable at crime scene and when carrying out their official duties outside of the forensics are of the Brookline Police Department.
To increase the role of all supervisors in day to day investigations through the use of detective case management, team building and a defined divisional organizational chart indicating the responsibilities of each individual.
To adapt current interview/interrogation room to provide video and audio recording capabilities, allowing investigators to preserve for court the procedures that they followed along with contemporaneous electronic record of suspect interviews.

Traffic & Parking

Standardized traffic reporting that connects to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The law required all departments to be on-line by January 1, 2006.
Procured specialized traffic equipment through the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau Grant. This equipment included Lidar Units, Accident Reconstruction Equipment and state-of-the-art Black Box Software.
Standardized and computerized selective enforcement strategies. This was attained in part through Larimore STAR System. The updated Larimore software will ultimately fulfill state requirements and allow us to better identify high accident areas.
Instituted new meter auditing system. The collection routes have been changed so that routes are more efficient and economical. The new system also entailed the remuneration of meters for continuity. This has allowed us to more readily identify problems in areas or even specific meters. These new changes were accomplished with the most recent audit findings of a margin of error of <.005 .
Maintained the success of the hackney ID program. We have continued to inspect, investigate, and coordinate the Town’s cab fleet wit the DPW.
Continued to participate in the Registry of Motor Vehicles Deadbeat Dad program.
We are currently participating in a tarfet hardening initiative with the Department of Homeland Security to continue to improve safety in and around the building. New technology has been acquired that allows for better visibility around the building and superior working conditions inside the building.

Community Service

In regards to our e-mail list of town businesses, it is still growing and we have a large number of businesses that receive information on a regular basis about crimes, prevention issues and other information that we feel is beneficial to them. The neighborhood crime watch groups have included in our e-mail system.
Were unable to introduce tabletop exercises into our training schedule this past year. Officers received updated training on the Range 3000 simulation device and used this knowledge in our racial diversity training and incident reaction training.
Were able to have a pilot program in one elementary school dealing with
teenage dating violence and other sexual behaviors of young teens. We are
in the process of expanding this program this school year to include all
elementary schools.
Our program with autistic children consisted of training our police officers in a four-hour session to help identify and understand the needs of these children. The officers were given tips on how to deal with these difficult situations and resources to help them.
Held a number of crime prevention meetings with seniors, neighborhood groups and businesses throughout the year.
Have completed our e-mail system for Sex Offender Registry notifications and use this on a quarterly basis to keep the citizens aware, as well as use this system to notify the appropriate citizens and businesses of any new registry members that require proactive notifications.
Continually expanded programs for the senior population of our town to keep them aware of topics that are relevant to them.
Have been reaching out to minority groups within town with our exiting programs of RAD, crime prevention and domestic violence.
Expanded our anger management program to two sessions, doubling the number of participants. One session dealt with high school age children, while the other involved 7th and 8th grade children.
Two officers trained and certified in Less Lethal instruction, as well as trained armorers for less lethal weapons.
Two officers trained in advanced editing school for the Range 3000, and added a taser component that will allow us to recertify officers in the use of tasers.
Had an officer trained in a Cobweb bike course.
Trained two officers as armorers.
This year we received money from the state for our community policing grant program. Through this grant we were able to offer the citizens of the town numerous safety programs, which included monthly RAD (women’s self defense) classes, weekly child car seat safety checkpoints, anger management groups for students, senior alert, gun lock safety, firearms safety, citizen’s police academies, train citizens in live saving CPR/AED/First aid courses, and neighborhood and special populations crime prevention and safety programs

Public Safety Dispatch

Tested and updated residential, commercial, and public building panic alarms directly connected to the Police Station.
Hired and trained 3 certified Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers.
Developed a In-Service Training Program for dispatchers and a On-The-Job Training Program for new-hires.
Restraining Orders and No Trespass Orders are cataloged and registered into the CAD system, along with emergency contact information for commercial properties and multi-unit dwellings.
Improved morale by simplifying the scheduling system and opening a dialog that made dispatchers part of the decision-making process.
Worked with the Fire Department Training Division to review and update fire procedures and create a training program.

Animal Control

Increased awareness through out the Town through the visible presence of the
Animal control Officer.
Increased awareness of the Leash Law and the “Pooper Scooper” Laws and the “Green Dog Program”.
Working on finalizing the privatization of the dog licensing process. This will increase compliance amongst those in the dog community and should result in a substantial increase of licensed dogs.
Established a presence in the Parks of the Town.
- 37% of violators in 2004 were non-residents.
- 40% of violators (164 Citations) in 2005 were non-residents.

FY2007 Objectives

Administration

To fully utilize all Department efforts to work collaboratively in an effort to reduce the crime rate to a point below the previous years.
To work collaboratively with the School Department and the Community Service Division in an attempt to identify funding sources to expand our outreach on inappropriate and illegal sexual behavior, dating violence and bullying to seventh and eighth grade students. We would look to create a foundation where these issues can be explored prior to students facing increased peer and social pressures associated with being a high school student.
To continue selective enforcement strategies where needed to make Brookline streets safer. We have expanded our current program to target pedestrians. Eighty-six percent of all pedestrian traffic fatalities occur outside of crosswalks. A pedestrian has been killed in Brookline each of the last 3 years. We are working to increase compliance to pedestrian laws and increase safety by changing attitudes regarding pedestrian responsibilities.
To update Department policies and procedures in order to meet state certification requirements.
To continue to improve the emergency preparedness of the Town through training, equipment procurement and working cooperatively with local, state and federal agencies.
To continue reaching out to all groups in town with our exiting programs of RAD, crime prevention and domestic violence.

Patrol

To streamline patrol based efforts across the Department, to work cooperatively in making Brookline a safer place.
To increase police visibility and efforts to address neighborhood issues.
To continue to utilize problem-solving techniques when facing problems, crime patterns, and issues with the Town of Brookline.
To utilize the unmarked patrol tactics for crime suppression/apprehension and possible terrorist activities/targets.
Dog officer actively engage in community policing assignments at various times and locations during his tours of duty.

Criminal Investigations

After receiving grant funding to purchase a compact Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which has the capability to search both ten-print and palm latent and inked prints, the Crime Scene Unit plans to fully download all ten print cards and palm prints from past arrestees. The CSU will also input all latent prints recovered from crime scene and “cold cases”. The use of the system with an enhanced database will provide the Criminal Investigation Division with the opportunity to identify suspects promptly and the ability to solve past crimes.
Implement a policy and procedure on Administrative Inspections of Garages. Current Massachusetts General Law set provisions for this type of inspections by law enforcement officers. Due to the increase in theft of particular motor vehicle parts and accessories, this policy and the physical inspections would help insure that these types of establishments in Brookline are no involved in procuring, selling or utilizing motor vehicle parts and accessories from unauthorized sources.
Purchase and install a new mug shot camera in the booking area that will improve the quality of photographs taken during the booking procedure. The current system captures images from a running video; the new camera would be a digital photograph captured from a still image, then linked to the arrest-booking system. This system will enable us to create a distinctly clearer photograph to be utilized in photographic line-ups, increasing witnesses’ and victims’ ability to identify suspects.
To complete the software design component of the computerized department intelligence system and bring the system to the level of operational use for our intelligence analyst. This system will be used to augment our on-line intelligence sharing while acting as the point of contact between the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center and 11 police agencies in Norfolk County.

Traffic & Parking

To standardize all major planning projects and provide traffic control for major construction, special events, sporting events, etc. The model we have used on such events, as the Boston Marathon, the Democratic National Convention, and Brookline 300 have proven highly successful.
To continue to provide school bus safety and child passenger safety programs through the child restraint clinics and selective enforcement. These have been handled by a joint effort between the Community Service and Traffic Divisions.
Update traffic Division Technology to achieve three goals: 1. Improve website technology so it is simpler, more user friendly, and efficient, 2. Connect to the RMV so on-line transaction can be made by individuals who receive an RMV release. Purchase new hand –held ticket machines.
Continue to train all Traffic Investigators in defensive driving techniques, black box recovery and advanced OUIL. There are currently six certified Traffic Reconstruction Investigators. This is the highest attainable level of training in the Commonwealth.
Provide effective traffic control for the extensive Beacon Street Project so that the disruption of motor vehicle flow is limited.
Increase the collections of delinquent out-of-state parking fines for a second consecutive year.

Community Service

Prepare our sergeant in courses for Homeland Security, so we will be able to train our own officers.
Re-certify firearms instructors.
Expand the pilot program of teenage dating violence curriculum in the 8th grade health classes with the health teachers and social workers.
Offer advanced rape aggressive defense course for female citizens of our town.
Continue to offer anger management course to students of 7th and 8th grades in collaboration with the social workers at the high school, probation and court officials.
Work to reach all sectors of the town, with at least one neighborhood crime watch group.
Implement a Kids RAD program for all the public housing developments.
Sustain and expand our e-mail system to businesses and neighborhood groups.
Have our officers trained in Critical Incident Interventions.
Continue to offer the RAD program to high school girls, women with disabilities and multicultural groups.
Continue using tabletop exercises as an integral part of our in-service training program..

Public Safety Dispatch

Equip a temporary dispatch center located on Hammond Street with communications equipment and essential information technology systems.
Implement dispatch procedures already in place designed to reduce the Town’s traffic signal and street lighting maintenance expenses by elimination unnecessary after-hour calls for service to private contractors.
Improve services to the physically and emotionally challenged by increasing the file of 9-1-1 Disability Indicator Forms and incorporate the information into the CAD system.
Continue to improve training, morale and the work environment of dispatchers in order to deliver the highest standard of service to the community.

Animal Control

Will continue work with the Parks & Recreation Department on the “Green Dog” Program. The goal of this will be to insure that all of the dogs (resident and non-resident) are n compliance with the licensing requirements of the Town and the Commonwealth.
Continue to explore the possibility of privatizing the issuance of Dog Licenses.
Assist the Health Department on the Annual Rabies Clinic.
Work on a contract with the Animal Clinics within the Town for the storage and services to animals taken under the control of the Animal Control Officer and the Police Department. The Town is currently working without any contract. The assistance performed by the Clinics is due in part to a working relationship developed by the Animal Control Officer.
Attend a Massachusetts Certification Course sponsored by the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts and obtain certification.
Continued presence in the Town Parks.

FY2009 Objectives

Administration

To implement successful strategies to increase our effectiveness in crime prevention, problem solving and solving crimes that have occurred.
To complete the transition from Uniform Crime Reporting to a National Incident Based Reporting System that more accurately captures data that can be used to make crime analysis more effective.
To maintain proper staffing levels and to ensure our personnel receive up to date training in order to remain in the forefront of policing.
To utilize the advancements in technology to their fullest potential to make Brookline a safer community while keeping in mind the Civil Rights of all persons.
To achieve status as an accredited police department.

Patrol Division

Community problem solving is the number one priority for the Patrol Commanders and Supervisors. They are empowered to create a flexible and adaptable force, using as many community resources as necessary to achieve a desired outcome in the neighborhoods.
Community Service Officers have used bike patrols for recreation area and commercial area patrols in the past and have been very well received by the community. Training patrol officers in the use of mountain bike patrol tactics will create a low profile, silent response unit for neighborhood surveillance and give patrol commanders another tool to address community concerns.
Maintaining a highly visible presence in schools, commercial districts and recreation areas of the town is required of all patrol officers.

Criminal Investigations

To fully download existing data into the newly activated intelligence software system. We will fully integrate this system into the vertical communication process of the Brookline Police Department while adhering to all applicable privacy concerns.
Work in a collaborative effort with Boston Police Department’s Investigative branches. We will utilize our shared Shannon grant funding to impact on going criminal activity that has a mutual effect on the quality of life in Brookline and Boston’s adjacent neighborhoods. This will be accomplished thorough the use of varied law enforcement initiatives utilizing manpower and the technology /mapping assets that were gained from the past year’s shared Shannon Grant.
Continue to upgrade our working capabilities for the investigation of computer related crimes by detectives attending training in forensic computer investigations, and outreach to financial sector businesses.
To increase the use of intelligence-led policing in developing tactical responses to ongoing or emerging crime patterns. This approach parallels the department’s commitment to quality community policing.
Increase the Domestic Violence Unit’s effectiveness. This will be achieved by maintaining the emphasis on following up on all cases of domestic abuse or family violence, locating and arresting all suspects as soon as possible, and contacting all victims for follow up support and referral to appropriate social service or advocacy agencies. We will be implementing additional training for officers to increase department wide awareness of the ongoing and repetitive nature of domestic violence, while developing increased empathy in the officers so that may understand the recurring cycles of violence and the associated negative long term effects.

Community Service

To work with the Brookline Schools in a police-school collaborative effort to further develop ideas, curriculum content and co-planning strategies for programs already established in the school system in grades 5 thru 10th.
To cross-train our personnel in the programs that are offered in the different grade levels within the police-school partnership program.
To establish a career enhancement opportunity within our division for patrol officers that are interested in specializing in community service programs within our schools.
To introduce the patrol rifle into our use of force continuum and have all patrol officers trained and proficient in its use.
To study the introduction of electronic weapon into our use of force continuum and have all patrol officers trained and proficient in its use.
Continue to provide and develop the schools and emergency personnel with a comprehensive and uniform plan of action in the event of a critical incident occurring on school property.
To train our personnel in responding and handling a major incident @ a school or other public venue.
To implement a GREAT family program in each of the three public family housing developments within the town.
To implement a professional development curriculum into our in-service training for supervisors and upper management.
Continue to establish and maintain robust working relationships with local, regional, and state emergency management partnerships.

Traffic Division

To continue to maintain the outstanding condition of the physical plant.
To maintain Selective Enforcement strategies which go beyond vehicles and target pedestrians and bicyclist behaviors.
To continue child passenger safety programs in collaboration with the Community Service Division. We will continue these efforts through the child restraint clinics and school bus safety.
Continue to update Traffic Division technology. The most pressing issues are new hand-held ticket machines, a reliable ParkCard system and software that will allow a direct connection to the RMV.
To cross train traffic officers so that they can be utilized in any traffic function. This would include police motorcycle training, and crash reconstruction training.
To properly maintain Meter Divisions efforts to adjust to recent increases in the parking meter schedule.
To effectively implement the residential and commercial parking programs so that their intended purposes are realized.
To continue to oversee an efficient and accurate record keeping system, and properly meet the needs of BPD as well as the public.

Public Safety Dispatch

Reduce overtime costs by reducing the use of unnecessary sick time.
Recruit, train, and retain qualified individuals motivated to serve the public safety sector to reduce the overtime cost caused by training.
Continue In-Service Training Program and work with Police and Fire Department Training Divisions to develop an annual 16 hour In-Service Training Program.
Continue to send dispatchers to nationally accredited training courses on topics related to Public Safety Dispatch.

Emergency Management

Continue to utilize the Emergency Operation Center to coordinate resources at natural and man-made critical incidents and scheduled events.
We will work on a regional Critical Infrastructure Monitoring program. This regional, interoperable, internet-based system will allow responders to monitor our evacuation routes during an emergency and facilitate the deployment of resources where they are needed most.
The EMT will strengthen school emergency planning.
a. Complete the collection and collation of emergency plans for public and private schools and campuses in Brookline.
b. Further develop and implement the use of the Town’s Geographic Information System (GIS) “3-D” image modeling program.
c. Install, configure and customize a “Digital Headquarters” which will allow first responders to quickly access emergency plans data for each public, private school and campus in Brookline.
Obtain and deploy mass notification system to alert the public regarding critical incidents in a timely manner and measures to be taken to protect themselves.
Create an EMT notification group from Brookline EMT on the state’s Health and Homeland Alert Network (HHAN) working group.
Complete yearly review of electronic Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (eCEMP).
Continue to document individuals needing specific assistance during emergencies. As part if this initiative, we will continue to conduct outreach to these using the “Emergency Preparedness Begins at Home” brochure and accompanying PowerPoint presentation.
The Emergency Management Team will continue efforts to join the Battle Road Regional Emergency Planning Committee. In 1986, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, requires each community appointed a Local Emergency Planning Committee. Communities are allowed to join existing Regional Emergency Planning Committees to fulfill this requirement.
We will work with MEMA on a web-based Resource Management System to will track emergency management resources.
The EMT will work to procure a retired ambulance (from Fallon Ambulance or Boston EMS) and equip it with extra batteries for portables radios, cell phone chargers, lighting equipment, etc.
Continue to develop and coordinate with area cities and towns evacuation plans and mass care sheltering plans in the case of an emergency.

Animal Control

To continue to work with the Parks & Recreation Department on the "Green Dog" Program.
To insure that all dogs, owned by both residents and non-residents, are in compliance with the licensing requirments of the Town and the Commonwealth.
Assist the Health Department on the annual rabies clinic.
Work on establishing a contract with the animal clincs, within the Town, for storage and services to animals taken under the ACO and the Police Department.
To continue to attend Massachusetts certification courses sponsored by the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts.