Somerville Police Department

Somerville Police Department
Name	Somerville Police Department
Formed	1842
Jurisdiction	Somerville, Massachusetts
Headquarters	220 Washington Street, Somerville, Massachusetts
Chief	Charles Femino
Sworn	100 (approx.)
Civilian	30 (approx.)
Website	www.somervillema.gov/departments/police

Somerville Police Department. The Somerville Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency serving the city of Somerville, Massachusetts. Operating under the leadership of Police Chief Charles Femino, the department provides a full range of policing services to one of the most densely populated municipalities in New England. Its jurisdiction covers the city's diverse neighborhoods, working in partnership with agencies like the Massachusetts State Police and the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.

History

The department traces its origins to 1842, following Somerville's separation from the neighboring city of Charlestown. Early policing was conducted by a small force of constables and watchmen, with the department formally organizing as the city grew rapidly during the late 19th century. It has operated from several historic stations, including a headquarters in Union Square. The department has evolved through significant eras in American policing, including the professionalization movement influenced by figures like August Vollmer and adapting to modern community policing strategies. Key historical events in the city, such as industrial growth, the Great Depression, and periods of social change, have shaped its development and operational focus over the decades.

Organization and structure

The department is led by the Chief of Police, who reports to the Mayor of Somerville and the city's administration. It is divided into several bureaus and divisions, including Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations, and Special Operations. The Patrol Division is the largest, divided into sectors corresponding to the city's neighborhoods like East Somerville and Winter Hill. Specialized units within the structure include a Detective Unit, a Traffic Unit, and a School Resource Officer program in collaboration with Somerville Public Schools. The department also maintains a close operational relationship with the Somerville Fire Department for emergency response and with regional task forces under the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Services and operations

Core services include 24-hour patrol response, criminal investigation, traffic enforcement, and emergency management. The department operates a real-time crime center and utilizes computer-aided dispatch systems. Specialized operations involve the Evidence Unit, a Crisis Intervention Team trained for mental health calls, and participation in the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (MetroLEC) for regional SWAT and investigative support. It conducts crime prevention programs, forensic investigations in coordination with the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory, and enforces state laws as well as local ordinances passed by the Somerville City Council.

Facilities and equipment

Primary operations are conducted from the main headquarters at 220 Washington Street. The department also maintains a community policing substation in Davis Square. Its fleet includes marked and unmarked patrol vehicles, SUVs, and bicycles for its bike patrol unit. Officers are equipped with standard duty gear, body-worn cameras, and conducted energy devices. The department uses digital records management systems and mobile data terminals in vehicles, and its communication center is interoperable with neighboring cities like Cambridge and Medford through the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

Community relations

The department engages in numerous community outreach initiatives, including the annual National Night Out event, Coffee with a Cop sessions, and neighborhood walks. It runs youth programs like the Police Adventure League and collaborates with community organizations such as the Somerville Homeless Coalition and the Welcome Project. The Somerville Police Foundation supports community programs and equipment purchases. The department also participates in cultural events like the Somerville Arts Council's festivals and works with immigrant communities through partnerships with organizations like the Brazilian Worker Center.

Notable incidents

The department has managed several high-profile cases, including investigations in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation into organized crime activities in the 1990s. It responded to a significant officer-involved shooting incident in 2018 that prompted reviews of use-of-force policies. The department played a key role in security and crowd management during events like the visit of President Barack Obama to Union Square in 2015. It has also been involved in complex homicide investigations that required collaboration with the Middlesex County District Attorney's office and the Massachusetts Department of Correction.

Category:Law enforcement agencies of Massachusetts Category:Somerville, Massachusetts Category:Government of Somerville, Massachusetts