Burlington Police and Fire Departments Invite Community to Ceremony Marking 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

BURLINGTON – The Burlington Police Department and Burlington Fire Department invite the community to attend a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11, starting at 9 a.m. on the Town Common. The event will remember first responders and innocent civilians who lost their lives on 9/11, and recognize first responders who serve Burlington today. The ceremony will reinforce words spoken in the aftermath of 9/11: “We Shall Never Forget.” The Town will unveil a new memorial on the Common, in the shape of the Pentagon. The memorial will surround the current memorial, two rails that were located beneath the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony will remember: Thomas F. McGuinness Jr., a co-pilot on American Airlines Flight 11Robert Jay Hayes, a 1981 Burlington High School graduate, and a passenger on Flight 11James Trentini, a Burlington High School teacher, and his wife, Mary Trentini, who were passengers on Flight 11Ryan D. Fortini, a 1995 Burlington High School graduate and N.Y. State Trooper, who passed away from occupational cancer related to his search and rescue assignment to the World Trade Center site following the collapse of the Twin Towers.Wreaths will be placed on the Town Common in their honor. A wreath also shall be placed on the Town Common in honor of Burlington resident and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gregory E. MacDonald, who died on June 25, 2003, while serving his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Wreaths also will be placed in honor of those first responders who ran toward danger to save others and gave their lives on 9/11, as well as to honor first responders. The ceremony also will remember those who perished at the Pentagon and in the fields of Shanksville, PA, and those who have lost their lives as the result of 9/11-related illness. Local officials will speak. The Burlington High School Chorus will perform, while the Burlington High School Marching Band will play the Call to Colors and Taps. Bagpiper Joe McGrath will participate. The Burlington Fire Department and Burlington Police Honor Guards will attend, as well as representatives from both departments. The ceremony will end with the “Tolling of the Bells,” a fire service tradition which reflects respect and honor. The first set of five bells will symbolize when the first tower collapsed; the second set of five bells will symbolize when the second tower collapsed. The Town will be observing all state COVID-19 protocols, including masking and physical distancing, that are in effect on the day of the event. For more information, contact Bob Hogan at 781-771-1570. ###

Suspicious male approaching children

Chief Thomas Browne reports that the Burlington Police Department is investigating two reports of a suspicious man in a vehicle who approached children in the area of Phillip Avenue and Fox Hill Road.

Burlington Police received a report that on Wednesday, Aug. 11, between 5:45 and 6 p.m., that a 13-year-old girl was approached by a man driving a white four-door sedan, who asked about the dog she was walking.

Burlington Police also received a report than on Saturday, Aug. 14, between 5:45 and 6 p.m., of a 13-year-old girl who was approached by a man driving a black SUV, who offered to give her a ride home.

Burlington Police believe the driver in both instances was the same man.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned male in his 50s or 60s with a medium build, balding with white/gray hair, possibly speaking with an accent.

Anyone with information about these incidents, the vehicle or driver — particularly residents of Phillip Avenue and Fox Hill Road neighborhoods — is asked to call the Burlington Police Department at (781) 272-1212

Thomas Browne to be Sworn In as Burlington Police Chief

BURLINGTON – The Burlington Police Department invites the community to attend the swearing-in ceremony for incoming Police Chief Thomas Browne.

WHEN:

Wednesday, June 30, starting at 6 p.m.

WHERE:

Grand View Farms, 55 Center St.

WHAT:

Deputy Police Chief Thomas Browne will be sworn in as the next leader of the Burlington Police Department. Browne will take command from Police Chief Michael Kent, who will retire effective July 1.

Deputy Chief Browne has worked in law enforcement for 26 years, and for the Burlington Police Department for 20 years, serving in numerous roles and supervisory capacities. He was named Deputy Chief in 2018 and has been responsible for the Department’s day-to-day operations.

Browne is a Burlington native, one of seven children of the late James and Margaret Browne. Two of Deputy Browne’s brothers serve on the Burlington Fire Department and the third brother retired from the Fire Department in January after 34 years of service.

Burlington Police Department Welcomes Four New Officers

BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent is pleased to announce that the Burlington Police Department has appointed four new officers in the department.

Officers Joseph A. Belsito, Colton C. Bader, Daniel P. Murphy and Richard M. Riley Jr. were officially appointed to their ranks during the virtual Burlington Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, May 24.
“I’d like to congratulate all four officers on joining the Burlington Police Department,” Chief Kent said. “They each bring their own unique backgrounds, experiences and skills, which will serve them well as they work on behalf of the entire community.”

Officer Daniel P. Murphy
Officer Murphy has worked at Minuteman High School in Lexington since 2014 as a football and girls’ basketball coach, mentoring students both in and outside of the classroom, implementing safety and security measures in multiple areas around the school and working with students in a leadership role.
During his time at Minuteman High School, Officer Murphy also worked at Burlington High School as an assistant football coach from June 2017 to December 2019, developing communication and conflict resolution skills as a coach.
Officer Murphy is a Burlington native and graduated from Burlington High School in 2010. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in history with a minor in education in 2013 and is currently studying for his master’s degree in education at Cambridge College. He currently resides in Woburn.

Officer Joseph A. Belsito
Officer Belsito has completed his reserve officer course and recently earned his certificate from the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Training Alliance.
Since 2016, Officer Belsito has worked with U.S. Electrical Services Inc., becoming proficient in each area of his job and improving the work environment for himself and those around him as a process improvement specialist. He is also currently serving as the head sailing coach at Bentley University and has been in the role since 2018.
Officer Belsito is a resident of Essex and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in operations and information management in 2016 with a minor in economics.

Officer Colton C. Bader
Officer Bader served with the Boston University Police Department and Braintree Police Department as an intern in 2017 and 2018. In those roles, he became certified in criminal justice information services, completed administrative work, shadowed officers during their days and instructed a junior police academy in Braintree.
Previously, Officer Bader also worked with the Durham Police Department in New Hampshire as a volunteer in 2017, supporting department operations.
Officer Bader is a resident of Brighton and graduated cum laude from the University of New Hampshire in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in justice studies and psychology. He also graduated from Boston University with a master’s degree in criminal justice, concentrating on cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity.

Officer Richard M. Riley Jr.
Officer Riley served as security detail at Wentworth by the Sea Country Club from May 2015 to August 2016 and most recently served as a security officer for Global Security Solutions, helping to transport sensitive materials across the U.S.-Canada border and working with clients to ensure proper delivery and care of their materials.
Officer Riley also began working in 2019 at Renaud Industries and has served as a volunteer numerous times, including delivering meals for Pine Street Inn, supervising Portsmouth Little League games and working at Dog Foundation Car Shows and PD-1 trials.

Officer Riley graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers in 2014 and from Miami University in 2020. He is a resident of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Burlington Police Department Receives $500,000 Grant to Assist Mental Health Outreach

Burlington Police Department Police Chief Michael Kent 45 Center St. Burlington, MA 01803

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 20, 2021 Contact: Tom Zuppa Phone: 617-993-0003 Email: tom@jgpr.net Burlington Police Department Receives $500,000 Grant to Assist Mental Health Outreach BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent is pleased to announce that the Burlington Police Department will receive a $500,000 Cummings Foundation grant that will support the Burlington Mental Health Initiative for the next decade. The grant money will allow the Department to: Hire a part-time Problem Solving Analyst who will gather, analyze and share information regarding under-served populations facing mental-health challenges. Continue its lease of its VirTra virtual reality training simulator, which allows first responders to train collaboratively, focusing on de-escalation techniques and positive outcomes. Create a formal schedule for the Burlington Community Response Team, which consists of the Burlington Police and Fire Departments, town boards and other departments, and Lahey Hospital and Medical Center. The BCRT will identify mental-health challenges in the community and use its expertise to address those challenges. The Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program primarily supports nonprofits in Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. Forty previous $100,000 grant recipients, including the Burlington Police Department, were selected for larger 10-year grants in recognition of their success. “Mental health is a continuing challenge in our community, one that has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chief Kent said. “This grant will allow the Department and our partners to have the tools to de-escalate a mental health crisis and help those who need services.” “With this grant we will be able to build upon the great strides we have made through Burlington Police’s Mental Health Initiative, which was undertaken in 2018 with another generous grant by the Cummings Foundation,” said Capt. Greg Skehan, who led the application process and will oversee the program. “We will be better able to identify challenges in the community, and address them pro-actively instead of reactively.” Chief Kent, Deputy Chief Thomas Browne and Capt. Skehan have been invited to formally accept the grant at a Cummings Foundation virtual ceremony on Thursday, June 10, 2021.###

Burlington Police Department Announces Two Promotions

BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent is pleased to announce that the Burlington Police Department has promoted two of its members to the rank of Sergeant.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matthew Creamer, left, and William Trelegan have been promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Burlington Police Department. (Photos Courtesy Burlington Police Department)

BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent is pleased to announce that the Burlington Police Department has promoted two of its members to the rank of Sergeant.

Sgt. Matthew Creamer and Sgt. William Trelegan were officially appointed to their new ranks during the virtual Burlington Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, April 26. 

“I’d like to congratulate Sgts. Creamer and Trelegan on their promotions,” Chief Kent said. “Each brings more than a decade of experience and valuable skills to their new positions. I look forward to seeing them continue to serve the residents Burlington with dedication and distinction in the future.”

Sgt. Matthew Creamer

Sgt. Creamer has served with the Burlington Police Department since 2004, most recently as Detective. From 2004 to 2018, he served as a Patrolman and Field Training Officer, training incoming probationary officers, evaluating them, and ensuring adherence to department policies and procedures.

He served as the department’s Court Liaison Officer from 2018 to 2020, representing the Department in Show Cause hearings, preparing evidence for trial, and working with the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.

Sgt. Creamer was promoted to Detective in 2020. In that role, he investigated felonies and misdemeanors, interviewing witnesses, and collecting evidence.

Sgt. Creamer is a Burlington native, and son of George and Barbara Creamer. George Creamer is a retired lieutenant in Burlington Fire Department.

Sgt. Creamer is a 2000 graduate of Burlington High School. He graduated from Middlesex Community College in Bedford, where he earned an Associate’s degree in science, majoring in criminal justice.

He lives with his wife Katie and their daughter.

Sgt. William Trelegan

Sgt. Trelegan has served with the Burlington Police Department since 2008. As a Patrolman in the Traffic Division, he was involved in patrols, investigations, and public education. He also served as a Field Training Officer, and worked as an Arson Investigator, coordinating with the Burlington Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Since 2018 Sgt. Trelegan has served as a Certified Legal Instructor with the Municipal Police Training Committee, instructing new recruits in Criminal Procedure and Criminal Law.

Sgt. Trelegan is a Burlington native, son of Frank and Amal Trelegan, and a 2002 graduate of Burlington High School. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2005, and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2006.

He lives in Burlington with his wife Elizabete and their three children.

Job Announcement

BURLINGTON, MA POLICE DEPARTMENT
NOW HIRING POLICE OFFICERS

Currently, the Burlington PD has multiple immediate positions available, and anticipates additional openings in the future.

The list of eligible candidates will remain on file for approximately two years or until the list is exhausted, whichever comes first.
Candidates looking to become a patrol officer with Burlington Police Department are encouraged to register for the written exam.

Please go to Police Exam Solutions to register http://www.policeexamsolutions.com

Deadline to register is April 1, 2021.