Billerica Police EMS Director Joe Devlin Retiring, to be Replaced by Director Robert O’Brien

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New Medical Director of Billerica EMS Robert Obrien

Medical Director Joseph Devlin

BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that EMS Director Joe Devlin is retiring from a 32-year career with the Town of Billerica. Devlin will be replaced as director by Paramedic Robert O’Brien, who has worked for the town for 20 years.

Director Devlin will retire from a 32-year career on Jan. 24. He was hired as a paramedic with Billerica EMS in 1993 and rose through the department’s ranks as it expanded over the years.  In 2011, Devlin was promoted to EMS Supervisor. He became EMS director in 2021, overseeing 16 full-time paramedics and a department that operates two 24/7 ambulances for the town.
Director Devlin oversaw the department as it expanded to operating two 24/7 ambulances in 2016 due to increased call volume in town.  As EMS Director, Devlin coordinated EMS services in town throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Working directly with the Board of Health, along with Billerica Fire and Emergency Management, Director Delvin was instrumental in helping to coordinate a local public health response to the pandemic. He also helped coordinate the creation of a Town of Billerica COVID-19 testing site in November 2020, a period of time when many people in Massachusetts had limited access to reliable testing.

“I want to thank Director Devlin for his 32 years of exceptional service to the Town of Billerica,” said Chief Frost. “Director Devlin oversaw both an expansion of our EMS services, as well as our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His professionalism and experience will be greatly missed.”

Director Devlin will be replaced by Paramedic O’Brien, who has been with the Town of Billerica for 20 years out of his more than 27-year career in EMS. O’Brien was chosen from among six finalists for the position, following a very competitive open application period.  Director O’Brien is a nationally certified paramedic who has worked as the Clinical Coordinator for Billerica EMS since 2016, overseeing quality assurance and improvement.  Director O’Brien holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Clark University, and a certificate in Paramedic Medicine from Quinsigamond College. He previously worked for Norwood Hospital and Action Ambulance.

The transition to a new EMS Director will take place over the next few weeks leading to Director Devlin’s retirement on Jan. 24.
“I am confident that our interview process identified Paramedic O’Brien as the candidate most ready, motivated and well-suited to bring Billerica EMS into the future, while also continuing to focus on the services’ well-earned tradition of high-quality emergency patient care and community engagement,” said Chief Frost.

Chief Roy Frost pinning newly appointed Medical Director Robert Obrien

Town Manager Clancy Main along with Selectboard Members Mike Riley, John Burrows, Mike Rosa and Dina Favreau along with members from Billerica EMS and Police

Billerica Police Department Receives $174,675 State Grant for Body-Worn Camera Program

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BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department has received a $174,675 grant to fund a body-worn camera program.

The $174,675 grant from the FY25 Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Program will fund the purchase of body-worn cameras, computer storage capacity, software, and more to enable a body-worn camera program to move forward at the Billerica Police Department.

The department must now select a vendor to purchase cameras and equipment from and put policies and procedures in place to guide the use of the cameras once they are deployed with officers.

“This is a major grant that will enable us to move forward with a body-worn camera program that will increase our transparency,” said Chief Frost. “We will move quickly to select a vendor and put policies and procedures into place.”

The grant received by Billerica Police was one of 10 awarded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration on Thursday, as a total of $728,892 in grants were distributed.

Since the Office of Grants and Research began the grant program in 2021, over $13.9 million has been made available to support local police departments with their efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and police-community relations through the adoption and expansion of body-worn camera programs.

“This grant program has been instrumental in helping local police departments equip officers with body-worn cameras, a vital tool for enhancing investigations and building trust with the community,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “By continuing to offer opportunities for departments to secure funding, we are ensuring more officers have access to this essential technology and enhancing public safety across the state.

Wearing body cameras demonstrates departments’ commitment to transparency and accountability and helps improve policing practices so that officers may better serve their communities.”

Research done by the Bureau of Justice Assistance suggests that implementing BWCs has led to reductions in crime, police-generated incidents, assaults against police officers, and complaints against police officers in certain communities.

 

Billerica Police Arrest Juvenile in Connection to Armed Robbery

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BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost reports that the Billerica Police Department has arrested and charged a juvenile in connection to an armed robbery that took place last Tuesday.

A 15-YEAR-OLD MALE JUVENILE, of LOWELL, was arrested and charged with:

  • Armed Robbery While Masked
  • Assault and Battery
  • Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Larceny from a Person
  • Use of a Firearm in a Felony
  • On Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Billerica Police responded to the area of Pages Court for a report of an armed robbery.

A preliminary investigation determined that two individuals walked up to a postal mail carrier and brandished a handgun. Both individuals were wearing masks at the time of the incident.

As a result of a thorough investigation, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Billerica police executed an arrest warrant on a 15-year-old JUVENILE believed to be involved in the incident.

The JUVENILE was arrested without incident.

The JUVENILE is scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell Juvenile Court on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

This incident remains under investigation.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Billerica Police Investigating Armed Robbery

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BILLERICA – Police Chief Roy Frost reports that the Billerica Police Department is actively investigating an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Billerica Police responded to the area of Pages Court for a report of an armed robbery.

A preliminary investigation determined that two individuals walked up to a postal mail carrier and brandished a handgun. Both individuals were wearing masks at the time of the incident.

There were no injuries. The two individuals left the area in a car.

Due to the location of the incident, Parker Elementary School was placed in a brief soft lockdown while officers conducted an initial search. However, there was no danger to the school community.

Billerica Police are actively investigating this incident.

Billerica Police Department Launches Citizen Engagement and Feedback Tool — Power Engage

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

Media Contact: Robert Mills Phone: (617) 993-0003 Email: robert@jgpr.net

BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department will be among the first departments in the Commonwealth to use new software to better connect with the communities they serve.

The Billerica Police Department has launched a new citizen satisfaction and feedback solution that uses text messaging to keep citizens informed and to solicit feedback after non-life-threatening interactions with the department.

“In today’s on-demand society, we understand how important it is to keep citizens informed. Much like private companies use tools to send automatic text message notifications, updates and satisfaction surveys to their customers, the Billerica Police Department is now able to do the same,” said Chief Frost. “We expect that this new solution, PowerEngage, will drastically enhance communication with the citizens we serve.”

Text messages are sent hours or days after the incident and will ask citizens to take a quick survey about their experience with their call for service. It will also allow citizens to provide their own comments and feedback or have an opportunity to thank the responding officer.

With PowerEngage, text message surveys are sent to those whose number is recorded as part of a call for service or even an officer’s report. However, citizens can take a text message survey and provide feedback even if they did not receive a text message. To take a survey and provide feedback to the department even if you have not been texted, click here.

“This new software will enable us to survey residents about their interactions with Billerica Police, which will help us improve quality control and ensure that our officers are being professional and courteous,” said Chief Frost. “At the same time, the software will allow residents to thank officers for positive interactions and allow our department to push important information out to residents via text message. We are excited to be launching this new solution we look forward to receiving increased feedback from our community.”

Residents who do not want to participate can simply not respond to the text message or let the department know in advance by calling 978-671-0900 and your number will never receive a survey. As with all texts, residents may reply with STOP and that will opt them out of all future text surveys from the department.

It is important that everyone knows that these surveys should not be used to report any type of emergency or crime. As always, call 9-1-1 for any emergency or to report any criminal activity.

To learn more about Power Engage, visit: https://www.powerdms.com/power-engage.

Billerica Police Department Receives Another Donation From Idemia

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Idemia, located in Bedford (formally 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.

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.