Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Suspended by POST Commission

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A Watertown Police officer has been suspended by the POST Commission for accusations that he was charged with a felony. The Watertown Police Department referred questions to City Manager George Proakis, who confirmed that officer Kevin Rooney has been suspended during the POST Commission process. “Regarding this specific situation, Officer Rooney is on an unpaid administrative leave status. But, due to this being a personnel issue, that is all I can share at this time,” Proakis said. Proakis did not go into details about the reason for the suspension, but added the following statement. “It is my expectation that the actions of every one of our law enforcement officers, both on and off duty, consistently reflect positively on the Police Department and the Watertown community as a whole.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Arrested for OUI After Striking Tree, Resident Scammed for Large Amount of Money

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Jan. 10, 1:11 a.m.: A vehicle struck a utility pole on Watertown Street near Galen Street. Police responded to the area and spotted the vehicle on the sidewalk near 20 Watertown St. The vehicle had been traveling westbound on California Street and when it merged onto Watertown Street it crossed over the traffic island and struck two signs.

Police/Fire

Watertown Police Recover Missing Football Signed by Brady, Bledsoe

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Watertown Police DepartmentThe missing football signed by three Patriots, including Tom Brady, was recovered after an undercover investigation. A football autographed by some New England Patriots legends went missing from a Watertown business about a month ago, but the ball was intercepted by police when the thief tried to sell it online. The ball that was signed by Tom Brady, Drew Bledsoe and Damon Huard belongs to local plumbing business J.C. Cannistratro. During a recent move, however, the ball went missing. On Wednesday, detectives from two police departments recovered the ball.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighter Graduates from State Fire Academy

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Watertown Fire DepartmentWatertown Firefighter James O’Connell, center, graduated from the State Fire Academy. He is pictured with Watertown Provisional Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson, left, and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. The Watertown Fire Department announced the graduation of Firefighter James O’Connell from the Massachusetts Fire Academy on Jan. 9. The Fire Department announcement said: “Please join us in congratulating Firefighter O’Connell on his graduation from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today in Stow, MA.

Government

City Petitions Legislature to Extend Age Police Officers Can Work Road Detail Shifts

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Charlie BreitroseA road after being milled and prepared for overlay of new asphalt.

The City of Watertown seeks to expand the age that police officers can work a detail at road construction projects up to the age of 70. Currently, the State caps the age of detail officers at 65, said City Manager George Proakis, but some communities have expanded that age to 70. With many road projects going on through the year, Watertown has trouble filling them with its own officers. With other communities allow older officers this creates some inconsistencies, Proakis said. “Because we are not able to fill all our details we often find ourselves requesting officers from other communities to come fill details in Watertown,” Proakis said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Man Arrested for Role in Fatal Crash in Rhode Island

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A 25-year-old Watertown man faces multiple charges after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident that killed a man on New Year’s Eve. Christopher Vincent, 25, of Watertown, was driving in Lincoln, Rhode Island, when he lost control and struck an attenuator, according to the report by Boston Channel 25. The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 31. The passenger in the vehicle, William Molloy, 22, of Ashland, died from his injuries.