Category Archives: News

New Police Chief Appointment – Roy W. Frost

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I announce the appointment of Roy W. Frost to the position of Police Chief for the Town of Billerica. Roy will undoubtedly have some big shoes to fill but he will start off with a solid foundation of professionalism that has been established by the long and successful tenure of former Chief Daniel Rosa. Roy Frost will be sworn-in on December 21, 2021. His ceremonial swearing-in will be scheduled in January.

Deputy Frost has played a significant role in implementing 21st Century Policing concepts to the Department as the Deputy Chief for over eight years. In his capacity as Deputy Chief, he has overseen the day-to-day police operations, conducted internal affairs investigations, managed many high-profile cases, and worked with the District Attorney’s Office to ensure that the end work product would result in justice being served. Roy has also served as the Public Information Officer for the Department.

Deputy Frost has been instrumental in establishing the Police Mental Health Collaborative and jail diversion program for the Town of Billerica. This is a program that recognizes the significant increase in mental health issues and diverts appropriate cases to mental health services. Roy served as the Detective Sergeant in charge of the Criminal Bureau for 11 years before being promoted to Lieutenant.

Roy has also overseen the Town’s efforts to track substance abuse issues and use this data to direct policy initiatives to address this issue.

Roy has constantly strived to improve himself and remain current in Public Safety practices and philosophies. He is a Police instructor for In-Service and Reserve Officer Training. He has attended the FBI National Academy for a 3-month training seminar. He has broadened his administrative skill set by attending seminars and certifications for budgeting,
executive leadership and FEMA preparedness. Roy received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and his Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College. Over the next week and after the Holidays, I expect Chief Frost will be putting his command staff together and meeting with members of the Department to prepare for a new chapter in the Billerica Police Department. I would also like to thank those candidates that put themselves in the arena to lead the Police Department. They were all excellent candidates and represent the best of our Police Department – Lieutenant Marty Conway, Lieutenant Gerry Roche and Lieutenant Sean Coffey.

John C. Curran, Town Manager

Billerica Police Department Receives Another Donation From Idemia

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

Idemia, located on Concord Road in Billerica has donated another year of support services for the department’s live scan fingerprinting system that Idemia manufactures. The system was purchased by the Commonwealth as part of a statewide project. The original purchase included three years of support services which expired. The donation will continue support for another 12 months at no charge to the Town.

The Police Department would like to thank Idemia publicly for this generous donation as well as other past donations and technical assistance they have provided over the years. They are a great neighbor and partner. We are fortunate to have them as part of the Billerica community.

Idemia is a leading provider of identity solutions and services in the United States. For more information about their services and products please visit their website here.

Two Veteran Billerica Police Officers Promoted to Lieutenant

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by
Elmore_West

Lt. Steve Elmore (left) and Lt. Bill West (right)

Billerica – Effective Sunday, December 5, 2021, the Billerica Police Department has promoted two veteran Police Officers to the rank of Lieutenant. Acting Chiefs Ronald Balboni and Troy Opland are honored to announce the promotions of Steven Elmore and William West. Lt Steven Elmore is a 34-year veteran officer with the Billerica Police Department, having served the past 21-years in the rank of Sergeant. Prior to his promotion, Lt Elmore has overseen the department’s Traffic Bureau, which is responsible for all matters related to traffic safety and enforcement. In addition to his time overseeing the Traffic Bureau, Lt Elmore served the department as a patrol supervisor and also completed multiple assignments in the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Lt William West is a 28-year veteran officer with the Billerica Police Department and also a military Veteran. Prior to his promotion, Lt West served his last ten years as a Patrol Sergeant where he supervised patrol officers in their day-to-day operations. Prior to his assignment as a Patrol Sergeant, Lt. West served twelve years as a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Both Lieutenants Steve Elmore and William West are life long Billerica residents where they live with families. Both are very active in the community and represent the best of the Billerica Police. We are all very excited for their promotion and congratulate them on this impressive accomplishment.

Front Line Initiative Shares Results with Rep. Seth Moulton, Highlighting Over $8M in Taxpayer Savings, 948 Arrest Diversions

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

TEWKSBURY — The Front Line Initiative and its member police departments were pleased to share in a recent presentation to U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton that the regional mental-health collaborative saved taxpayers in member communities over $8 million, diverted 1,431 individuals … body {font-size: 15px; }

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The Billerica Police Department received a donation from the Kennek Foundation with “Trouble the Dog”

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BILLERICA  – Thanks to the Kennek Foundation, the Billerica Police Department is able to bring Trouble the Dog to comfort young children in our community during times of crisis. This week, Kennek Foundation founder and children’s author, Sheila Duncan, along with members of the Merrimack Valley Harley Owners Group chapter donated a dozen of the custom-made dogs to First Responders when responding to a scene involving a young child. These soft plush custom-made stuffed dogs can often bring some level of comfort to a child during the often chaotic period of time at a time when First Responders are working to stabilize a scene. Thanks to a recent Merrimack Valley HOG fundraising ride this past September, the Kennek Foundation was able to donate these items to our community.

For more information on this amazing program, please visit their website at “thekennekfoundation.org” or their Facebook page.

The Merrimack Valley HOG Chapter members in the photo left to right are:
Bernie Lach, Paula Lach, Director, Marc Belanger, Dennis Bertulli, Erik Lekberg, Sheila Duncan founder, The Kennek Foundation, Deputy Chief Frost, Heather Lambert.

Vehicle Located in Billerica Identified as Belonging to Judy Chartier Who Has Been Missing Since 1982 – Updated 11/5/21 Remains Identified

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

Update 11/5/21 – BILLERICA – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Billerica Acting Chief Troy Opland and Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney have confirmed that the remains located Wednesday in the Concord River in Billerica have been positively identified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as Judith Chartier, who had been missing since June 5, 1982.  The identification was made through dental records. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Dr. James T. Pokines, a Forensic Anthropologist, will be working with the District Attorney’s Office to reconstruct the remains in an attempt to determine a cause of death.

On November 2, 2021, investigators recovered the 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger that Ms. Chartier was driving on the day that she disappeared.  During a subsequent search of the same area, divers were able to recover human remains and personal items including a work identification badge, clothing and a small purse or wallet.

The items were located in about 10 feet of water, 15 to 20 yards from the shore.  As part of its ongoing commitment to these cases the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Cold Case unit, created by District Attorney Ryan in 2019,  in partnership with the Chelmsford and Billerica Police and Massachusetts State Police utilized sonar technology this week to return to an area of the river located about a mile from the Chartier home.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, Billerica Police, Chelmsford Police, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team. Particular thanks are extended to Bruce Stebbins and Hans Hug of Sonar Search and Recovery, civilian experts who utilized Edgetech Sonar System to locate the vehicle and whose assistance was critical to the investigation.

11/3/21 – BILLERICA – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Billerica Acting Chief Troy Opland and Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney have confirmed that today investigators recovered a vehicle from the Concord River that has been positively identified as the 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger that was driven by Judith Chartier on June 5, 1982.

Ms. Chartier has not been seen since that date.

As part of an ongoing investigation, the Massachusetts State Police Dive team and civilian divers located significant portions of a vehicle in the river. Today, through a match of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), those pieces were confirmed to be from Chattier’s vehicle.

On June 5, 1982, then seventeen-year-old Judith Chartier, a Chelmsford resident, disappeared after leaving a party in Billerica. Friends reported that she was last seen around 2:00 a.m.

“This is a very significant development in this case and we are still processing the car for any additional evidence. Sadly, this discovery comes after nearly forty heartbreaking years of Judith’s friends and family missing her and wondering about what happened that day. We are committed to continuing the search for those answers,” said District Attorney Ryan.

“We are grateful to all of the people working hard on behalf of Judy Chartier. We look forward to working with all parties to bring justice in this case,” added Acting Chief Opland.

“I want to commend and thank investigators from Chelmsford, Billerica, and the District Attorney’s Office for their continued efforts on this case over many years,” said Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney.

This investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, Billerica Police, Chelmsford Police, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team. Particular thanks are extended to Bruce Stebbins and Hans Hug of Sonar Search and Recovery, civilian experts who utilized Edgetech Sonar System to locate the vehicle and whose assistance was critical to the investigation.

Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, 15 Commonwealth Avenue, 3 Floor, Woburn, MA 01801, United