On January 21, 2011, Student Officers Brian Collins and
Jarrod Woeller of the Northbridge Police Department
graduated from the 3rd Municipal Police Training Academy
held at the MA State Police Academy in New Braintree.
Officers Collins and Woeller attended the 21 week recruit
training academy covering a variety of police topics
including domestic violence, applied patrol procedures,
criminal and constitutional law, firearms, motor vehicle
law, report writing, CPR & first aid and physical fitness.
After completing a period of training at the police
department, Off.
Collins will be assigned to the 12-8 AM shift and Off.
Jarrod Woeller will be assigned to the 4-12 shift.
Pictured from left to right: Det./Sgt. John Ouillette, Off.
Jarrod Woeller, Chief of Police Walter Warchol, Off. Brian
Collins, Lt. Timothy Labrie
Northbridge Police Bike Patrol Program - 2011
After several years of budget and manpower reductions, the
Northbridge Police Department has redeployed a 5 man bicycle
patrol unit. The five police officers that make up the
bicycle patrol unit are Detective/Sergeant John Ouillette,
Officers Tom Dejordy, Jeff White, Brian Collins and Jarrod
Woeller. The unit will be supervised by Detective/Sergeant
John Ouillette. The officers will be assigned to patrol
various areas of the community. Chief Warchol feels bicycle
officers create a highly visible presence in a wide variety
of locations such as our high density neighborhoods, senior
housing developments, schools and various special community
events. Chief Warchol also feels that police officers on
bicycle patrol have a better ability to interact with the
residents of our community on a more personal level than an
officer in a cruiser. The bicycle patrols will have more
personal contact with young people that should also promote
a more positive image of the police.
Photo left to right: Det./Sgt. Ouillette,
Officers Jarrod Woeller, Jeff White, Tom Dejordy;
missing from photo Off. Brian Collins
MOBILE PHONE & TEXTING
Under the new law which took effect in October 2010, any
driver caught composing or reading a text message can be
cited and fined $100. Law enforcement will have the
authority to stop any driver suspected of texting. However,
the offense will not be considered a moving violation and
will not be subject to an insurance surcharge.
Drivers under 18 cited for using any type of cell phone or
mobile electronic device with or without a hands-free
feature will be subject to a $100 fine and a 60-day
suspension of their driver's license. Offenders will also
have to complete a driver attitudinal course before their
license is reinstated.
Additionally, under the new law, any driver who accrues
three or more surchargeable incidents within a two year
period will be required to take a driver retraining and
safety course or face the suspension of their license.
