News

Swansea Police Department Offers Halloween Safety Tips

Swansea Police Department Offers Halloween Safety Tips

With Halloween approaching, it is important to consider the potential hazards the holiday brings for participants of all ages.

Children should be dressed appropriately for the weather and wear reflective attire or carry flashlights to ensure they can be seen in the dark. Young trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult. Older children should be reminded of how to trick-or-treat safely, and should use the “buddy system” to make sure no one walks alone.

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Swansea Police Department Recognizes National First Responders Day

Swansea Police Department Recognizes National First Responders Day

Today, on National First Responders Day, we pause to honor the bravery and sacrifice of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers.

These dedicated professionals put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and respond in times of crisis. We are grateful for their service and commitment.

We are proud to stand alongside our fellow first responders and grateful for the trust and collaboration that allows us to serve our community together.

Swansea Police Department Offers Back-to-School Safety Tips

Swansea Police Department Offers Back-to-School Safety Tips

As the new school year begins, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep students safe — on the roads and beyond.

Drivers should be alert on the roads and pay careful attention to school-related traffic laws such as speed limits in school zones, yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks, and stopping for school buses when their lights are flashing and stop arms are extended.

Parents and guardians can also offer their students safety tips. Children waiting for the bus should stay 10 feet away from the curb. When the bus arrives, they should wait until it has completely stopped and they have seen the bus driver’s signal to enter.

Children biking to school should always wear a properly fitting helmet, use bike lanes when possible, and abide by traffic laws and signals. Children walking to school should only cross the street at crosswalks and should never play or push each other near traffic.

For more back-to-school safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, visit: https://tinyurl.com/NHTSASchoolSafety

Swansea Police Department Earns Fifth Re-Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission

Swansea Police Department Earns Fifth Re-Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission

Chief Mark Foley is pleased to report that the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC) has once again accredited the Swansea Police Department.

This marks the department’s fifth re-accreditation, which was officially voted on and confirmed by MPAC in May.

Accreditation is an ongoing process that requires compliance with program standards over a three-year period. The department will undergo its next three-day, on-site assessment in 2028 to ensure continued compliance. The Swansea Police Department has been accredited since Jan. 28, 2010.

Accreditation is a self-initiated, lengthy, and comprehensive evaluation process. Participating departments complete an internal review and an external assessment by trained MPAC assessors. The process is voluntary and represents a police department’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of law enforcement. It is considered the best benchmark for comparing a department’s policies and practices with established best practices across the state and nation.

The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program consists of 274 mandatory standards and 81 optional standards. To achieve accreditation, departments must meet all applicable mandatory standards and at least 55 percent of the optional standards.

These carefully selected standards address critical areas of police management, operations, and support services, including policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuits, detainee transportation, and holding facility procedures.

Chief Foley would like to recognize Accreditation Manager Detective Sgt. Eric Thibault for his continued leadership in guiding the department through the accreditation process.

“This re-accreditation process was truly a team effort,” said Chief Foley. “This recognition reflects the high standards that have long defined the Swansea Police Department. I am extremely proud of each and every member of our department.”

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Swansea Police Department Debuts New Patrol Vehicle Graphics

Swansea Police Department Debuts New Patrol Vehicle Graphics

Chief Mark Foley is pleased to share that the Swansea Police Department has unveiled a fresh new design for its patrol vehicles.

The department recently took delivery of the first of three cruisers featuring the updated graphics package. The traditional black-and-white design offers increased visibility and a professional, high-contrast look.

The new design includes bold “Swansea Police” lettering along the side of the vehicle, updated decals, and a clearly marked “Community First” message.

Over the coming months, Swansea residents will notice both the new and legacy cruiser designs on the road. The department will continue to rotate in new vehicles with the updated graphics as older ones are retired from service through normal attrition.

“This new design is a visual reminder of our dedication to serving the Swansea community with professionalism, pride, and purpose,” said Chief Foley. “We’re proud of how the updated cruisers look and hope residents agree.”

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