Cohasset Police One of Six Massachusetts Departments to Join National ABLE Project

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COHASSET — Chief William Quigley is pleased to announce that the Cohasset Police Department has been accepted into the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project, Georgetown University Law Center’s national training and support initiative for U.S. law enforcement agencies committed to building a culture of peer intervention that prevents harm.

By demonstrating a firm commitment to transformational reform with support from local community groups and elected leaders, Cohasset Police will join a select group of more than 115 other law enforcement agencies and statewide and regional training academies from across the country and Canada.

Backed by prominent civil rights and law enforcement leaders, the evidence-based, field-tested ABLE Project was developed by Georgetown Law’s Innovative Policing Program in collaboration with global law firm Sheppard Mullin LLP to provide practical active bystandership strategies and tactics to law enforcement officers to prevent misconduct, reduce mistakes, and promote health and wellness.

ABLE gives officers the tools they need to overcome the innate and powerful inhibitors all individuals face when called upon to intervene in actions taken by their peers.

“Being accepted into the ABLE Project reflects the Cohasset Police Department’s dedication to growth and accountability,” Chief Quigley said. “We are proud to be joining such an impressive list of departments nationwide in this very important training initiative. Participation in the ABLE project will be key for us as we move the department forward with meaningful police reform.”

The department’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Gregory Lennon, is already a certified trainer through the program and will train the entire CPD staff over the next few months.

Cohasset Police are one of only six departments in Massachusetts to join the ABLE Project, along with Boston Police, Mass. State Police, Lawrence Police, Brookline Police and Northeastern University Police.

Those backing the Cohasset Police Department’s application to join the program included the Town of Cohasset’s Diversity Committee and Social Service League, as well as Town Manager Christopher Senior, who all wrote letters of support.

In their letter, the Social Service League of Cohasset commented on the CPD’s dedication to ethical and fair treatment of Cohasset’s residents, and how the department is “actively engaged in the community and in programs supported by the SSL, such as Safe Harbor Cohasset Substance Use Prevention Coalition, Cohasset Senior Café, and dry tailgating at Cohasset High School games, just to name a few.”

The Diversity Committee noted that “the Cohasset Police Department, under Chief Quigley’s leadership, is a bright spot in the community in these challenging times,” adding, “Cohasset is home to a progressive and proactive police department that demonstrates a commitment to a culture of respect and inclusion.”

The ABLE Project is guided by a Board of Advisors comprised of civil rights, social justice, and law enforcement leaders, including Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Commissioner Danielle Outlaw of the Philadelphia Police Department; Dr. Ervin Staub, professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the founder of the Psychology of Peace and Justice Program; and an impressive collection of other police leaders, rank and file officers, and social justice leaders.

“The ABLE Project seeks to ensure every police officer in the United States has the opportunity to receive meaningful, effective active bystandership training, and to help agencies transform their approach to policing by building a culture that supports and sustains successful peer intervention to prevent harm,” said Professor Christy Lopez, co-director of Georgetown Law’s Innovative Policing Program, which runs ABLE.

Chair of the ABLE Project Board of Advisors, Sheppard Mullin partner Jonathan Aronie, added, “Intervening in another’s action is harder than it looks after the fact, but it’s a skill we all can learn.  And, frankly, it’s a skill we all need – police and non-police.  ABLE teaches that skill.”

For more information about the ABLE Project, visit the program’s website.

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Cohasset Police Department Awarded $5,000 Post-Pandemic Mental Health Support Grant

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COHASSET — Chief William Quigley is pleased to announce that the Cohasset Police Department has recently received a $5,000 grant to support post-pandemic mental health.

This grant was awarded to 15 communities in Norfolk County by District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

“A significant portion of our calls for service involve individuals in crisis due to mental and behavioral health issues,” Chief Quigley said. “With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased social isolation, we have also seen a rise in these types of reports. This grant funding could not be more timely, and with it, we will be able to better serve our community and provide the proper care to those who need it.”

The grant funding will allow the department to contract with a licensed social worker, who will provide assessment and referral services for people in or approaching crisis. The social worker will also provide guidance to town departments, including police, fire, public health and elder affairs. The remaining funding will go toward providing field training for officers, who are often the first ones in contact with people in crisis.

“We try to target our community reinvestment dollars where our towns identify the greatest need,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “Coming out of the pandemic year, our partners in the schools and town departments have made it very clear that the deepest need is mental health support and services.”

Past projects funded through District Attorney Morrissey include providing community service dogs, school safety grants, trainings for school personnel and prescription drug collection containers.

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Cohasset Police Awarded Grant To Increase Seat Belt Use Within the Community

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COHASSET — Chief William Quigley and the Cohasset Police Department are pleased to report that the department has been awarded a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR) to increase the number of patrols and to remind drivers and passengers about the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seat belt.

The grant is in the amount of nearly $12,000 for enforcement through 2021. Cohasset police will join other departments across the state and the Massachusetts State Police in the national Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign.

“So many tragedies on the roads could have been prevented if drivers or passengers were simply wearing a seat belt,” Chief Quigley said. “We urge anyone in a vehicle to always make sure to buckle up, and we are thankful for this important funding to increase our enforcement of seat belt usage in the community.”

Important Data

  • Massachusetts’ seat belt use rate is consistently lower than the national average, ranking 45th in the 2019 seat belt observational study. At 81.6% use, over 1.2 million Bay Staters still are not regularly buckling up. The national seat belt use rate is 90.7% (2019).
  • In Massachusetts, a larger percentage of pickup truck (71%) and SUV (65%) fatalities are unrestrained compared to passenger cars (60%).
  • 68% of nighttime fatalities are unrestrained in Massachusetts compared to 55% of unrestrained daytime fatalities.

“Seat belts are the best way to protect yourself from dangerous drivers,” said Kevin Stanton, Executive Director of the OGR.  “You might be an excellent driver, but not everyone else is.  Seat belts are your best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.”

For more information on the OGR’s Municipal Road Safety and distracted driving enforcement grant program, visit www.mass.gov/service-details/traffic-safety-grants. 

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Cohasset Police Department To Charge Boston Man Following String of Motor Vehicle Break-Ins

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COHASSET — Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley reports that a Boston man has been arrested and charged by Hanover Police in connection with several motor vehicle break-ins that occurred in the area recently, and additional charges from Cohasset Police are pending.

On Thursday morning, May 13, the Hanover Police Department arrested a 37-year-old Boston man on several motor vehicle and drug charges. The man was allegedly found to be in possession of numerous stolen items.

Because charges have not yet been formally filed by the Cohasset Police, the department is unable to publicly release the suspect’s identity at this time.

Through the investigation, Hanover and Cohasset detectives coordinated their efforts and were able to connect some of the recovered stolen property to a string of motor vehicles that were broken into in the area of North Main Street, Green Street and Red Gate Lane in Cohasset on Tuesday, May 11.

The man will be charged by Cohasset Police with multiple counts of Breaking and Entering and Receiving Stolen Property. As this is still an active investigation, more charges could follow.

“We thank the members of the Hanover Police for their hard work and diligence in assisting in this case,” Chief Quigley said.

Any resident who has information about the May 11 break-ins is asked to contact Cohasset Police Detectives at 781 383-1055 ext. 6107 or email mlopes@cohassetpolice.com.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Protect Your Vehicle

Cohasset Police urge residents to always lock and secure their vehicles. Additional safety tips, courtesy the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, include the following:

  • Take your keys, don’t leave them in your vehicle.
  • Close and lock all windows.
  • Park in well-lit areas, preferably a garage, if possible.
  • Never leave valuables in your vehicle, and if you do, make sure they are out of sight.

If your vehicle has been stolen, follow these steps:

  • Contact police immediately to file a stolen vehicle report. You’ll need a copy of the police report and/or a case number to provide to your insurance company.
  • You may also be asked to provide the following information: license plate number; make, model and color of car and the VIN number and any identifying characteristics.
  • Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of when you discovered your vehicle was stolen.
  • If you find your vehicle before authorities, contact the police and your insurance company immediately

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Cohasset Police Department Commemorates National Police Week

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COHASSET — Chief William Quigley and the Cohasset Police Department are honoring fallen officers from near and far during National Police Week this week.

National Police Week takes place this year from May 9-15 and is observed across the country as a way to honor local, state and federal law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty.

In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day on Saturday, May 15, Cohasset Police will join agencies nationwide in flying its flags at half-staff to honor officers who have given their lives in service to their communities.

“It is important to remember those who served so bravely for their community and lost their lives in the line of duty,” Chief Quigley said. “The men and women of the Cohasset Police Department put their lives on the line each and every day, and we honor those we have lost as well as those who continue to serve.”

Every year, between 25,000-40,000 law enforcement officers from around the world would normally gather in Washington, D.C. to pay their respects during a number of planned events. Though this year’s in-person events are cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a candlelight vigil will be held virtually on Thursday, May 13 at 8 p.m. to memorialize those who sacrificed all for their communities.

A total of 362 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2020 and 119 have been killed so far in 2021.

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