The North Reading Police Department is broken up into three main divisions and several specialty units.
The main units are: Administration, Detectives, and Patrol.
Administrative Division
Lt. Kevin Brennan and Lt. Mark Zimmerman
The following is a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of the Administrative Division:
The Administrative Division assists the Chief of Police with overall control of the functions of the North Reading Police Department.
The Division manages 31 Full-time sworn officers; 1 sworn Reserve Officers; 1 Special Police Constables; 4 Cell Matrons; 5 Crossing Guards; and volunteer personnel.
The following are some of the Administrative Divisions responsibilities
- The Division maintains the necessary records, provides equipment, to include lethal and less lethal weapons, uniforms, job tools, personnel safety equipment and the training required to legally handle such items.
- Applies for applicable grants.
- Administers the Operation of the Patrol Division.
- The Division develops action plans, protocols and trains personnel in their use. Researches and plans for future procurements and changes in technology, equipment and law enforcement practices.
- The Administrative Division maintains the local jail.
- Is responsible for the maintenance of and participation in several mutual aid networks and programs.
The Administrative Division is also responsible and accountable for the training of all police personnel and all community service programs. In addition to the management of the Department’s overall operations, the Administrative Division directs the following programs, including but not limited to:
- Safety Officer,
- Sex Offender Registry,
- Solicitor Applicant investigations,
- Warrant Management and Apprehension Program,
- Community Services,
- Evidence Control.
Detective Division
Detective Lieutenant Thomas Romeo
Detective Thomas Hatch
Detective/SRO Sean O’Leary
The Detective Division shall collect, identify, preserve, handle, and transport significant evidence pertaining to more serious crimes; shall perform photographing and fingerprinting when needed, shall maintain criminal records of all persons arrested, and maintain files relating to fingerprints and photographs.
It shall process all requests for record checks made by other police or governmental agencies. The Detective Division will collect, process, and disseminate to other Department personnel, information of criminal conduct that relates to activities posing a threat to the Town of North Reading in such areas as terrorism, subversive activities, and civil disorder.
The Detective Division is responsible for handling the preliminary and follow-up investigations in all cases of actual or attempted rape or sexual assault.
The Detective Division is responsible for obtaining, preserving, and analyzing physical evidence for eventual court presentation, and for assisting in the development, techniques and procedures for effective crime search. This unit will also provide identification and photography.
The Detective Division has the responsibility of developing and coordinating the department’s organized crime and vice control programs.
The Detective Division also conducts follow-up investigations on;
- Reports initiated by patrol, Town Departments or outside police agencies
- Self-Initiated Investigations, resulting from intelligence gathered
- Development and execution of arrest and search warrants
- Participation in networks such as the Regional Drug Task Force & Detective meetings
- Performing stakeout and intelligence gathering
- Major motor vehicle crash (mvc) investigations
- Investigation of all mvc’s involving town vehicles or on duty personnel and
- Prepare and prosecute criminal cases.
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division is commanded by Lt. Mark Zimmerman and consists of:
6 Sergeants
Sergeant Joseph Thibodeau
Sergeant Anthony Morlani
Sergeant Thomas Encarnacao
Sergeant Paul Dorsey Jr.
Sergeant Michael McAuliffe
Sergeant Kevin Donle
16 Patrolmen
Officer James McCormack
Officer Scott Tilton
Officer Joseph Encarnacao
Officer Michael LeBlanc
Officer Keith Lamont
Officer David DiFraia
Officer Jason Connolly
Officer James Carcia
Officer Sean Lawson
Officer Michael Hennessey
Officer Gregory Connolly
Officer John Raso
Officer Paul Lucci Jr.
Officer Ryan Haggerty
Officer Peter DiPietro
Officer Richard Valeri
Officer Timothy King
Officer Michael Hanley
Reserve Officers:
Reserve Officer Michael Sorrenti
The patrol force is responsible for directed, selective, and general patrol duties. Officers are sworn to enforce Massachusetts criminal law, applicable town by-laws, Federal Laws, serve criminal process, arrest law breakers, conduct preliminary investigations, execute warrants, and use force and deadly force when necessary to preserve life and to ensure the civil right safeguards guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Massachusetts Constitution.
