Watertown Police Announce July’s Officer of the Month

Officer Colton Bailey

The Watertown Police Department named the Officer of the Month for July 2025. See details in the WPD’s announcement below. Please join us in congratulating Officer Colton Bailey, who has been named the Watertown Police Department’s Officer of the Month for July. Officer Bailey has consistently demonstrated professionalism, initiative, and leadership while serving on C Platoon. Known for his proactive work ethic and commitment to public safety, he also serves as a mentor to newer officers, helping to build their skills and confidence.

Four Arrested in by Watertown Police in Shoplifting Sting

The Watertown Police Department ran a saturation patrol on Thursday focusing on stores often hit by shoplifters. The operation was one of a series of stings focused on shoplifting going back to April 2024. The WPD sent out the following announcement:

On June 26, 2025, Watertown Police conducted a saturation patrol operation at Arenal Yards and the Watertown Mall in an effort to prevent shoplifting. The operation resulted in four individuals being taken into custody on shoplifting-related charges, while one person was issued a trespassing order. The Watertown Police were assisted by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, and store loss prevention personnel.

Watertown’s First Police Officer of the Month Driving the WPD’s First Electric Police Car

Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan stands next to the new Mustang Mark E electric vehicle, which is being driven in June by Officer Mike Hill. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

There’s a sleek new Watertown Police cruiser on the roads these days: an all-electric Ford Mustang. The Mustang Mark E is the first EV in the WPD’s fleet, said Police Chief Justin Hanrahan, and he is giving the opportunity to be the first drivers to the Watertown Police Department’s Officer of the Month. For the month of June 2025, the Mustang is being driven by Officer Mike Hill. “It’s sporty,” Hill said.

Watertown Police Faced Real-Life Scenarios in the Middlesex Sheriff’s Mobile Training Center

Watertown Police Officer Mike Hill looks at the screen in the Middlesex Sheriff Office’s Mobile Training Center. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A trailer parked on a vacant lot in Watertown appeared quiet and tranquil from the outside, but inside Watertown Police officers faced intense situations in which they sometimes had to draw their firearms and even fire real bullets. The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office recently parked its Mobile Training Center on the former Sterritt Lumber site on Waltham Street for a week, so that the Watertown Police could take part in real world simulations with videos while using their own equipment. Lt. Kevin McManus, who oversees the WPD’s Training Division, said having the training center in town allows officers to go through some of the most realistic training while having the convenience of going through it while they are on a normal shift. The training center uses a system created by Laser Shot, and offers more than 600 different scenarios.

Four Armed Robbery Suspects Caught by Watertown Police

Watertown Police took four suspects into custody after an alleged armed robbery on an MBTA bus. See details in the announcement from the Watertown Police Department. On May 6, 2025, Watertown Police responded to a 911 call reporting an armed robbery that occurred on an MBTA bus. Watertown Police officers quickly located four suspects hiding in a backyard on Eliot Street. The investigation confirmed that the robbery took place onboard an MBTA bus within Watertown.

Watertown Police Arrest Boston Man for Trafficking Fentanyl

Courtesy of the Watertown Police Department. Police arrested a Boston man for allegedly dealing fentanyl in the Watertown. See the announcement from the Watertown Police Department below. On April 22, 2025, Watertown Police, working with the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force, arrested Wilkims Soto-Suazo for selling fentanyl to Watertown residents. Mr. Soto Suazo was arraigned [April 23] at Waltham District Court for Trafficking Class A Fentanyl over 36 grams (44.4 grams located).

Police Log: Man Arrested for Having Child Pornography, Credit Card Scam Foiled, Drink Thrown at Food Delivery Driver

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. April 1: Police received a report of a disturbance between a food delivery man and a customer. A Warren Street resident ordered food on GrubHub and when the driver arrived he asked the resident for a confirmation code. The resident said he requested a contactless delivery, and did not have a code. The driver said the resident got upset and threw a fountain drink in his face.