Police department receives high rating

The Chelsea Police Department has received the coveted State Accreditation, according to City Manager Jay Ash and Police Chief Brian Kyes.

Chelsea becomes one of just 30 cities and towns in Massachusetts that have attained the status of State Accreditation.

In fact, Chelsea is only one of seven major city police departments out of 32 to attain professional status.

Major police departments are defined accrediting services as agencies that serve populations of 40,000 or more and who have at least 75 sworn permanent personnel.

Chelsea joins Fall River, Framingham, Peabody, Waltham, Woburn and the Transit Authority as accredited departments.

“We are delighted that the hard work of the police department has gained the recognition it deserves,” said City Manager Ash.

Chief Kyes sent a message to all the members of the police force.

“You should ALL be very proud of yourselves for the collective hard work and effort that everybody put forward to bring us to this important stage which enhances the professionalism of our law enforcement agency.  I am particularly proud and extremely appreciative of the tireless efforts and unyielding commitment and dedication that both Captain Ken MacDonald and Helen Ramirez put into this project.  Captain MacDonald has been involved since the inception of the program in the late 90s along with other members of the staff.  Both he and Helen Ramirez along with many others in the department, including Jason Marcus who became heavily involved in the last few months, all played significant roles in bringing us to this point.  The four MPAC Assessors that were here for three days were all extremely impressed with the facility, the command and support staff, the officers (who all looked very professional), the equipment, the fleet, and all of our polices, procedures rules and regulations.  This is a huge step forward in making us the best community police department in the entire state.  I am extremely appreciative to each and every one of you for helping us attain this significant accomplishment,” Kyes said.

The accreditation started 10 years ago, which goes back three police chiefs – Hernandez, Garvin and now Kyes.

The accreditation is good for three years.

In other police news, a new police officer is coming on, who is a Chelsea resident.  His name will shortly be released.

What the city manager has called a back and forth is ongoing with Sen. Kerry’s office on trying to get federal funding for more policing.

Rep. Gene O’Flaherty is coordinating a meeting with the State public safety head to discuss the possibilities, if any, for the added funding.

At that meeting, City Manager Ash will lead the charge to try to get the State (maybe with the Feds help) to fund a regional drug unit of 10 officers for Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, Everett and Malden.

Ash said he has already spoken with Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo about sponsoring such an initiative.

Chief Kyes reports arrests are over 1900 so far this year with 4500 motor vehicle violations written. The city is to be receiving a $380,000 Federal grant to combat Domestic Violence.  The money is to be shared with numerous partners.