Boston Police Looking for Stolen Truck with a Snow Plow and Sander

At about 1:00am, on Thursday, December 27, 2012, officers from District E-13 (Jamaica Plain) took a report of a stolen Chevrolet truck with a plow on the front and a sander on the back. The truck was taken from 75 American Legion Highway, Dorchester (Boston Parks and Recreation lot).

Officers spoke with an employee who stated at about 10:00pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 he was notified by a park ranger that a snowplow truck was driving erratically in the parking lot at 75 American Legion Highway.   The employee performed an inventory check and discovered a truck was missing.

The vehicle is described as a white 2004 Chevrolet pick-up, Massachusetts registration #MB1410. The truck has a large plow attached to the front and a sander loaded on the back.

The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call District B-3 detectives at (617) 343-4712.

Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those who wish to remain anonymous.

Boston Police Officer Dives in to Rescue Woman in the Harbor

At about 12:44pm, on Friday, December 21, 2012, officers from District C-6 (South Boston) responded to a call for a female victim in the water near Melcher and Summer Streets in South Boston.  On arrival, upon seeing the victim struggling in the water, a Boston Police officer, jumped into the frigid water to save her.. According to witnesses, the victim, who may have jumped or fallen into the water, was screaming for help. Additionally, two Boston firefighters jumped in to assist the officer. Both the officer and the female victim, suffering from hypothermia, were transported to Mass General Hospital for treatment.

The Boston firefighters, also suffering from hypothermia, were transported to the Tufts Medical Center for treatment.

Also responding to the scene: the Boston Police Harbor Unit, Boston Fire Marine Unit, the Mass State Police Marine Unit, Mass Environmental Police, the US Coast Guard and the Massport Fire Marine Unit.

Message from Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis relative to Organizational Changes to the Command Staff

Over the past several years, the nature of policing has changed dramatically in Boston. The Department has embraced the changes through extensive community outreach, regular collaboration with other city agencies and ongoing communication with our external law enforcement partners.

These relationships have proven to be invaluable in the department’s ongoing efforts and success in crime reduction and prevention and have created the need for a new superintendent to oversee these efforts. As such, the newly created position of Superintendent of Administration & Policy will focus on innovation and the implementation of changes to the Department’s Rules and Regulations.

Moreover, today’s changes and promotions provide even greater diversity at the top levels of the department.

These are exciting times for the Boston Police Department and it is with great pride that I announce the following promotions/changes to the Boston Police Command Staff:

Superintendent Kenneth Fong will be promoted to the rank of Superintendent in charge of Administration and Policy

The Superintendent of Administration and Policy is responsible for oversight of all of the department’s partnerships and outreach efforts, in addition to the management and implementation of any and all changes to Department’s Rules and Regulations.         

Fong, who has 19 years of service, joined the department in 1993. He was appointed Superintendent in 2007 and named the Chief of the Bureau of Professional Standards overseeing the Internal Affairs and Anti-Corruption Divisions. In 2012, he was reassigned and assumed duties as the Night Commander responding to incidents across the City of Boston. Prior to 2007, he served as a Deputy Superintendent in the Operations Division overseeing the 911 response system. Prior to that, Fong served as a Lieutenant in District C-11 (Dorchester) and a Sergeant in District A-1 (Downtown).

Deputy Superintendent William G. Gross will be promoted to the rank of Superintendent – Night Commander

The Night Commander oversees all police responses to incidents on a city-wide basis in the evening hours and works closely with the community members and groups to address violence in Boston’s neighborhoods.

Gross, who has 27 years of service, was appointed to the department in 1985. After being appointed to the rank of Deputy Superintendent in 2008, Gross was assigned as the Zone 2 Commander overseeing the Areas B and C which include the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Mattapan, Dorchester and South Boston. Gross was reassigned to the Field Support Division in 2010 overseeing the Youth Violence Strike Force and the School Police Unit.  Prior to 2008, he was a Sergeant Detective in District C-11 (Dorchester) assigned to investigations in Dorchester.

Deputy Superintendent Kevin J. Buckley will be promoted to the rank of Superintendent of the Bureau of Investigative Services

As the Chief of the Bureau of Investigative Services, the Superintendent oversees all of the department’s criminal investigations and investigators including district detectives, homicide investigations, family-justice related investigations (which include sexual assaults, domestic violence, human trafficking and crimes against children cases) the forensic division, drug control unit, fugitive apprehension unit and various investigative task forces.

Buckley, who has 30 years of service, joined the department in 1982. After being appointed to the rank of Deputy Superintendent in 2010, Buckley was assigned to the Criminal Investigative Division overseeing homicide investigations, district detectives and the forensic division.  Prior to 2010, Buckley spent 13 years as a Sergeant Detective assigned to the Homicide Unit.

Deputy Superintendent Kelly A. Nee will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent in charge of the Criminal Investigative Division

The Commander of the Criminal Investigative Division oversees homicide investigations, district detective investigations and the forensic division as well as a number of other units.

Nee, who has 27 years of service, joined the department in 1985. After being appointed Deputy Superintendent in 2010, she was assigned to the Bureau of Investigative Services. Further, the Deputy took command of the Family Justice Group (Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking), the Drug Control Unit and a number of other units.  Prior to 2010, she served as a Sergeant Detective in the School Police Unit and the Drug Control Unit.  Nee was also a Sergeant in the Youth Violence Strike Force.

Deputy Superintendent Stephen Whitman will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent in charge of the Youth Violence Strike Force

The Deputy will oversee the Field Support Division which includes the Youth Violence Strike Force and the School Police Unit.

Whitman, who has 23 years of service, joined the department in 1989. After being appointed to the rank of Deputy Superintendent in 2011, Whitman was assigned the Commander of the Operations Division overseeing the 911 system and citywide police response. Prior to his appointment to Deputy, he served as a Sergeant Detective in the Dignitary Protection Unit for 7 years and held previous assignments in District A-1 (Downtown) and the Major Case Division.

Sergeant Juan Torres will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent assigned to the Bureau of Investigative Services

The Commander of the Bureau of Investigative Services oversees the BPD Family Justice Group (which includes Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking) the Drug Control Unit and a number of other units.

Torres, who has 26 years of service, joined the department in 1986. Promoted to Sergeant in 2012, Torres was assigned to District A-7 in East Boston.  Prior service included being assigned as a Detective in the Homicide Unit since 1996 and the Major Case Division in 1994.