Swansea Police Recognize 20th Anniversary of Lt. Robert ‘Officer Bob’ Cabral’s Line-of-Duty Death
Today marks 20 years since the line-of-duty death of Swansea Police Lt. Robert “Officer Bob” Cabral.
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
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
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
*UPDATE* Swansea Police Charge Three Men Following Investigation into Car Thefts, Break-ins
Chief Mark Foley reports that the Swansea Police Department has charged three people following an investigation into a series of car thefts and motor vehicle break-ins last month.
Click the link to read the full press release:
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
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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Swansea Police Department Reminds Residents That Fireworks Are Illegal Statewide
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches quickly, we would like to remind residents that the recreational use of fireworks is illegal in Massachusetts.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, there have been more than 550 fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks in Massachusetts in the past five years. Six firefighters were injured in these incidents, and damages were estimated at nearly $1 million.
Between 2019 and 2023, Massachusetts medical facilities treated more than 200 people for burns and other injuries associated with fireworks. Two dozen people were treated for severe burn injuries that covered 5% or more of the victim’s body.
The possession, use and sale of fireworks without a professional license is against the law in Massachusetts and punishable by confiscation, fine or imprisonment. Fines range from $100 to $1,000, and some violations could carry a one-year prison sentence.
Please leave fireworks to the professionals!
Swansea Police Department Shares Safety Tips for National Water Safety Month
May is National Water Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about boating and swimming safety. According to the American Red Cross, about 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning each year, which is an average of 11 deaths per day. During 2023, the American Coast Guard reported 3,844 boating accidents that resulted in 564 deaths and 2,126 injuries.
National Water Safety Month aims to educate people about the importance of safe swimming and boating through tips and resources.
The U.S. Coast Guard observes National Boating Safety Week this year from May 17-23, starting the weekend before Memorial Day, to encourage safe boating habits. Their campaign shares the importance of habits like wearing a life jacket, getting a free vessel safety check from the Coast Guard and being aware of weather conditions before leaving the shore. For more information, visit safeboatingcampaign.com
Swansea Police Department Shares Motorcycle Safety Tips
Motorcycle Safety Month is observed every year in May. As the weather gets warmer and more motorcyclists are on the road, the initiative raises awareness of road safety for motorcyclists and those who share the road with them.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, in 2023, the most recent full year of data, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities.
The American Motorcycle Association encourages passenger car drivers and motorcyclists to work together on the road to create a safe driving environment. All drivers should avoid distracted driving by focusing on the road and ignoring distractions such as cellphone use, adjusting the radio or GPS. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/Motorcycle-Safety
