Billerica Police | MA

 BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police department is offering the community a chance to provide important information on individuals with disabilities to aid first responders in the event of an emergency.

The Billerica Department is rolling out the free and voluntary Personal Alert Program, which is designed to aid first responders with quick access to critical information to assist in dealing with individuals with disabilities, in particular those who may have difficulty communicating with first responders.

Individuals who may benefit from the program include individuals on the Autism spectrum, those with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Downs Syndrome, elders or any other individual with disabilities.

The Personal Alert Program registry will aid first responders by providing information, including emergency contact’s, detailed physical descriptions, the individual’s communication abilities, routines and behaviors, photographs, and other helpful information that may assist first responders while they are interacting with the individuals.

Information can be provided by parents, guardians, or caretakers and will be used by the Billerica Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services to assist in caring for and/or locating individuals with disabilities.

To learn more or to register for the program, click here. Billerica Police will also have information on the program available next month at Billerica Police Department’s Public Safety Night.

Those who enroll will receive a free Billerica Police Department patch, seat belt cover, window decal, and an BPD Personal Alert Program identification card.

“I want to thank Telecommunicator Supervisor Maureen Lamaree for her work to get this program launched. She has been instrumental to our efforts on this,” said Chief Roy Frost. “We’re hoping a large number of community members will enroll in this program to help improve our ability to be of assistance in the event of the emergency.”

Officer Ryan Koles and K-9 Cassius White.

BILLERICA — Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police department has added a second K-9 unit to the department.

Officer Ryan Koles was selected to be the Billerica Police Department’s newest K-9 handler after participating in a selection process that included a physical fitness test, a report review, and an interview panel that included members of the Connecticut state Police K-9 Training Unit and the Massachusetts Environmental Police K-9 Unit.

Koles will now be partnered with a black Labrador retriever that was donated to Billerica Police as a puppy by Foxbend Labs, of Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

The K-9 has been named Cassius White, in honor and recognition of the first known Billerica Police officer to give his life in the line of duty.

White was an 18-year veteran of Billerica Police who was killed in 1936 when he was struck by a drunken driver while assisting Massachusetts State Troopers with a motor vehicle stop on Boston Road near Billerica Center.

The K-9, Cassius White, was initially raised and trained by Sgt. Rocco Magliozzi, who is an experienced Billerica Police K-9 officer. Upon Koles being selected to be Cassius White’s new handler, both Koles and Cassius White attended the Connecticut State Police K-9 Training Academy, graduating on June 23.

Koles and Cassius White have received training in tracking, and intend to pursue additional training in search and rescue and human remains detection.

Officer Koles and Cassius White now join the department’s existing K-9 team, Sgt. Magliozzi and K-9 Skye, another Labrador.

“Our K-9 program is highly regarded in the region for its years of successful tracks, apprehensions and community engagement,” said Chief Frost. “I am confident that Officer Koles and his partner Cassius White will continue to build on that tradition as they begin working in the community along with Sgt. Magliozzi and K-9 Skye.”

L to R – ACO Casey Smith, Fleet Manager PTL Rich Avant and Deputy Chief Gerald Roche

Billerica Animal Control finally has a new vehicle after 10 years! The new Ford F150 Police Responder edition is equipped with a rear seat cage with air conditioning, a topper with storage, a sliding deck in the bed and mobile office technology. BPD would like to thank the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office for fabricating the secondary door on the rear cage. Amazing work!

Patrol Officer Rich Avant, BPD’s fleet manager, says the vehicle took 16 months from start to finish. The biggest challenge was locating the vehicle, the specialized equipment for it and associated supply delays.  Animal Control Officer Casey Smith is excited to have a new vehicle after so long. Casey is looking forward to improved functionality after lessons were learned from the original 2014 F150 purchased in 2013. The old vehicle will be transferred to Billerica DPW where it will continue on in a new role. The upfit was completed by Municipal Headquarters (MHQ) in Marlborough, MA.