The History Of The 

Southwick Police Department

Chief Joe Morehouse

Southwick's first policing started in the 1900's with election of constables at  annual Town meetings. In the 1920's, Southwick became home to one of the first State Police contingent, stationed at a home on Depot Street. Southwick began it's own police department in 1923, appointing Joe Morehouse as Chief and Charles Matthews as the first Special Police Officer. As time went on, the State Police moved to Agawam and then to their present location in Russell Ma. Morehouse retires in 1963, Charles Wolfe Jr. was appointed as acting Chief.

Ofc. Charles Matthews

The Town votes in a full-time department in 1966. James Curran was appointed as full-time Chief after two others resign. Small additions to the Town's fire station became the police station. By 1970, the department consisted of five full-time officers and nine Special Police Officers. It was around 1970 when the Town's 911 emergency system first became operational. Now the police department was providing 24 hour coverage with two equipped cruisers.  On June 18, 1975, Charles Wolfe Jr. was appointed as Chief of Police.  As a result of a growing community and police department, more space was needed. Under Chief Wolfe's administration, additions during the 1970's and 80's were constructed. Mid 1980's, the police association through fund raising purchased a Boston Whaler boat so  now patrols included the Congamond Lakes.

Chief Charles Wolfe Jr.     Congamond Lake (Middle Pond)

   Chief Wolfe retires in 1990 and Henry F. LaBombard is appointed to the Chief's position. Under LaBombard's  leadership there is a considerable amount of change. Creating new positions such as Lieutenant, Sergeants, additional patrolman and even a detective. 

In August of 1990, the department has two officer trained in the D.A.R.E. program which started in the schools that fall. In 1994, the department takes a step into the computer era. Now, dispatch, records, and patrol are brought into a new computer system. In 1996, the department adopts the community policing philosophy, receiving state grant money to support different community programs.

 Through grant money, patrol cruisers were equipped with lap top computers (MDT's). This enabled dispatch to better communicate with patrol. This also allows an officer to obtain vehicle information as well as warrant checks directly from the registry and the NCIC system, right from the officer's cruiser.

Over the past few years, the department has trained several officers in several different law enforcement fields. Officers specialize in accident reconstruction, D.A.R.E, dive & recovery, crime scene photography, rape investigation, a canine program and R.A.D.

During the summer of 2007, the Southwick Police Department went through yet another face lift; Our Police Dispatch Center went through a  $275,000.00 upgrade. A new state of the art E-911 system was installed which now enables dispatchers to receive 911 calls from cellular phones. The system identifies the caller's name and phone number, Service provider,  and the location the caller is calling from on a computer generated map.  A state of the art radio system was installed keeping communication between police, fire and all other departments in touch.

 The new dispatch center was also equipped with three 42 inch monitors which allows dispatchers and police personnel to monitor several surveillance cameras around the police and fire departments, and soon from our schools.  

The Southwick Police  Department is well on it's way into the 21st century providing the very best in public safety.

 

1976 Ford Torino Cruiser

2008 Ford Crown Victoria Cruiser

Southwick Police Department 11 Depot Street Southwick, MA 01077

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