The Detective Bureau is staffed by two full-time Detectives
who investigate crimes that have been reported to the Police
Department that did not result in an immediate arrest. They
follow up on all cases that are to be prosecuted and
continue the investigation prior to presenting cases to the
Worcester County District Attorney's Office. Numerous
offenders are arrested and prosecuted as a result of these
investigations.
The Detectives operate in cooperation with other Local,
State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, as well as the
Worcester County District Attorney's Office, Blackstone
Valley Drug Task Force, and other local law enforcement
agencies, to investigate a wide variety of criminal offenses
along with locating wanted & missing persons. The
Department's affiliation with the drug task force enhances
our local efforts in the area of drug investigations, as
well as attacks through a regional level through interaction
with other law enforcement agencies. Since its inception
some ten years ago, the Blackstone Valley Drug Task Force
has been awarded state grants in excess of $400,000 to
combat the drug problem in our area. The drug task force
makes about 100 drug arrests each year within the six town
task force jurisdiction.
These investigations focus on crimes committed in
Northbridge or crimes committed in other jurisdictions by
persons who live, work or travel through Northbridge. This
cooperation also allows for a vast network of regional Law
Enforcement services and investigative specialties to be
available to this community as needed.
The Detectives also attend monthly detective meetings
throughout the County to share in regional enforcement and
intelligence information. Detectives appeared to give
testimony in many cases presented to the Grand Jury,
Superior Court of Massachusetts and Municipal Courts.
Full cooperation exists between the Detective Bureau and the
Patrol Division, in conducting the necessary police
functions and investigations for the Department. Detectives
have made themselves available to individual citizens,
organizations and schools to provide information and public
awareness on law enforcement and public safety issues. When
possible, resource referrals are made for services outside
the law enforcement community that may be of assistance.
Detective Bureau Staff
Det. Sgt. John Ouillette -
jouillette@northbridgemass.org
Det. Patrolman Donald J. Roy -
droy@northbridgemass.org
Citizens' Complaint Procedures
In order to sign a complaint charging any individual with a
criminal offense you are requested to complete criminal
application forms and return them to the Uxbridge District
Court Clerk's office during normal business hours, in
person.
The Uxbridge District Court office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30
PM, Monday to Friday. The phone number is (508) 278-2454.
Upon review of these forms, the court will prepare a formal
complaint for you to sign under oath. Complaints are only
issued if the court determines that probable cause exists.
In some cases you may have to appear before the Judge, in
court, and give formal testimony to establish probable cause
to the satisfaction of the Judge.
Filing a police report does not constitute a formal
complaint with the court. In most cases a Police Officer may
have to witness a particular offense in order to make an
arrest. Should the officer not witness the offense, the
person making the allegation must sign the complaint.
All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty
in a court of law. As the complainant, you must be prepared
to prove your case in court.
It is recommended, but not required that you consult your
attorney before signing any complaints.
UNDERAGE DRINKING AND THE LAW
The drinking age in the United States is 21. Under
Massachusetts Law a person less than 21 years of age may not
purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages. A person
18 to 21 who violates this law will be charged as an adult
with a criminal disorderly persons offense. The fine for an
adult violating this law is not less than $500.00. If the
offense is committed in a motor vehicle a 6-month driver's
license suspension will also be imposed.
As a responsible citizen you should be aware of the laws
which apply to adults who provide or serve alcohol to
minors.
LAWS AND PENALTIES
Massachusetts Statute C. 138 section 34 makes it a criminal
disorderly persons offense to offer, serve or make alcohol
available to minors. It is also a criminal offense to entice
or encourage a minor to drink alcohol. The law states that a
minor may only consume an alcoholic beverage in the presence
of and with the permission of the child's parent or legal
guardian, or during a religious observance. The penalty for
this is a fine up to $1000 and up to 180 days in jail.
Even though there is an exception for parents, you should be
aware that serving or providing intoxicating substances to a
minor may also be prosecuted under other criminal statutes,
for example, child endangerment (such as cases where the
underage drinker harms himself or another), which can result
in a State prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine up
to $150,000.
It is a criminal disorderly persons offense for any person
to make property (such as their house, apartment, business,
motel room or any other place owned, leased or managed)
available to, or in the care of, another person with the
purpose that alcoholic beverages will be consumed there by
minors. The penalty is a fine up to $1000 and up to 180 days
in jail.
It is a criminal disorderly persons offense to sell an
alcoholic beverage to a minor, or to purchase an alcoholic
beverage for an underage person. The penalty is a fine up to
$1000 and up to 180 days in jail.
Any person who serves alcohol resulting in intoxication is
also civilly liable for injuries caused by the intoxicated
person's negligence.
Let's all pledge ourselves to work together and help to curb
underage drinking in our community.
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