Category: News

Body of Missing Wareham Man Found

Benjamin Paulin News ,
Body of Missing Wareham Man Found

WAREHAM — Chief John Walcek reports that the body of a missing Wareham man was found in a wooded area in Wareham on Friday.

The initial investigation indicates that his death is not suspicious. The investigation remains ongoing by Wareham Police and State Police detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

Daniel Smith, age 47, of Wareham, was last seen on Monday, June 8.

During the search, Chief Walcek activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit to assist in searching for Smith.

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*Missing Person* Wareham Police, SEMLEC Search and Rescue Actively Searching for Missing Man

Benjamin Paulin News , , , ,
*Missing Person* Wareham Police, SEMLEC Search and Rescue Actively Searching for Missing Man

WAREHAM — Wareham Police Chief John Walcek, who has activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit, reports that local law enforcement officers are seeking the public’s help in locating a resident who was last seen in Onset Village on June 8.

Daniel Smith, age 47, of Wareham, was last seen on Monday, June 8, at approximately 4 p.m.

Smith is described as a white male, who stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 280-300 pounds. He has dark hair and is unshaven. He was last seen wearing a dark green sweatshirt and black shorts.

Anyone who believes they may have information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Wareham Police Department at 508-295-1212.

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SEMLEC Chiefs Collaborate Remotely on Regional Police Readiness Plans

Benjamin Paulin News , , ,
SEMLEC Chiefs Collaborate Remotely on Regional Police Readiness Plans

Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Chiefs took a new approach to how they conduct their meetings in accordance with social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, April 2, SEMLEC participated in its bi-monthly meeting through the use of a Zoom conference call. The Zoom meeting allowed for SEMLEC Chiefs to virtually meet to discuss operational readiness while practicing social distancing.

This was the first time SEMLEC used a virtual meeting call in place of its usual in-person meetings.

During the meeting, SEMLEC Chiefs discussed regional information on the status of personnel and the most recent regional and national data regarding COVID-19. They also discussed possible operational issues with the deployment of personnel during COVID-19, common problems departments and communities are encountering and possible solutions, regional assets and their availability to community members and more.

“We are proud of all of our member departments for their hard work and continuous commitment to serving their communities during these unprecedented times,” said SEMLEC President and Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte. “Each department is doing their part to flatten the curve whether it be by practicing social distancing or adjusting their operations for the time being. We would like to reiterate that law enforcement personnel are a resource during these times and we are here for anyone that needs us at any time.”

Information about each department’s COVID-19 response can be found on its respective website or social media.

As always, SEMLEC would like to remind everyone to call 911 in an emergency.

For more information on COVID-19, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

About SEMLEC:
We are a mutual aid consortium comprised of resources from the police departments of 30 cities and towns. We respond when requested by a chief of police to assist with search and rescue, special events, or major crimes. We also draw on some of the most talented police officers in the region to form the SEMLEC SWAT Team, which deploys when needed to save lives and protect the citizens of southeastern Massachusetts. Our members are all sworn police officers from one of the 30 member communities. Our units respond only when called by one of the 30 chiefs of police in our region.

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Seekonk Police, SEMLEC Search and Rescue Locate Body of Missing Man

Leah Comins News , , , , , ,
Seekonk Police, SEMLEC Search and Rescue Locate Body of Missing Man

SEEKONK — Interim Chief of Police David Enos, working as control chief of the South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit, and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn have confirmed that the body of a missing Seekonk man was found Saturday.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., the Seekonk Police Department activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit to search for a man who was reported missing to Seekonk Police on Friday, Jan. 17.

The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing and Massachusetts Environmental Police also assisted in the search.

Units searched in the wooded area near Gammino Pond and the Seekonk Public Library, located at 410 Newman Ave., and located the man’s body at approximately 3 p.m.

This is an open investigation being conducted by the Seekonk Police Department and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. At this time no foul play is suspected.

All further media inquiries should be directed to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

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SEMLEC to Participate in Large-Scale Test of Multi-Agency Communications Capabilities in Hingham

Benjamin Paulin News

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue Unit

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 15, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

SEMLEC to Participate in Large-Scale Test of Multi-Agency Communications Capabilities in Hingham

Event to Take Place March 21 at Wompatuck State Park

HINGHAM — SEMLEC President Christopher Delmonte and SEMLEC Search and Rescue Command Chief George McNeil report that the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council will participate in an exercise to test the communications technology interoperability between several Massachusetts law enforcement agencies next week.

The exercise will be conducted on Thursday, March 21, at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham. Residents and visitors to the area will notice a large police presence that day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and should know there is no cause for concern.

The training will simulate a large-scale multi-agency search and rescue mission, with the goal of testing the functionality, capabilities and limitations of the communications technologies used by several of Massachusetts’ law enforcement and public safety agencies. The agencies will be working together to test their communications equipment and the compatibility of their respective equipment with one another.

“We already have a great relationship with our regional public safety partners, but it is important to test our equipment and capabilities before they are needed,” Chief Delmonte said.

The agencies that will be participating include:

  • SEMLEC
  • Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC)
  • Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department
  • Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team
  • Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department
  • Cape Law Enforcement Council (CapeLEC)
  • Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
  • Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (MetroLEC)
  • Massachusetts Environmental Police
  • Massachusetts State Police

The exercise has been planned by MetroLEC and the Massachusetts Search and Rescue Board and is intended to bring together several public safety agencies to work on together on the same simulated operation.

“Part of this exercise is to ensure that all of the public safety agencies in the region are well-trained and well-prepared in the event of a large-scale search and rescue operation or emergency situation,” Chief McNeil said. “Being able to seamlessly respond and work effectively with our law enforcement partners is crucial during such an incident, and the testing of our communications interoperability is part of that training and preparation.”

ABOUT SEMLEC

The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council is a mutual aid consortium comprised of resources from the police departments of 30 cities and towns. It responds when requested a chief of police to assist with search and rescue, special events, or major crimes. SEMLEC also draws on some of the most talented police officers in the region to form the SEMLEC SWAT Team, which deploys when needed to save lives and protect the citizens of southeastern Massachusetts. 

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SEMLEC Search and Rescue Warns Parents of “48-Hour Challenge”

Benjamin Paulin News , , ,

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

SEMLEC Search and Rescue Warns Parents of “48-Hour Challenge”

National Trend Sees Kids Pretending to Go Missing for 48-Hours

SOMERSET — Somerset Police Chief and SEMLEC Search and Rescue Control Chief George M. McNeil and the members of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council would like to warn parents about a troubling new online challenge among teens called the “48-Hour Challenge” where they pretend to go missing for several hours and are awarded “points” for getting mentioned on social media.

It should be noted that there have not been any incidents of this trend taking place in southeastern Massachusetts, but Chief McNeil and the SEMLEC Control Chiefs would like to make parents aware of the 48-Hour Challenge and ask them to talk to their children about the risks and consequences of taking part in such a trend.

“Missing children and teens and the effort that goes into trying to locate a person that has been reported missing is a very serious situation,” Chief McNeil said. “A trend like this could be cause for SEMLEC Search and Rescue to be mobilized to a community and spend hours looking for a person that his not actually missing or in danger. This would tie up vital resources that could be going toward dealing with real emergencies.”

The SEMLEC Command Chiefs recommend that parents speak to their children about how they utilize social media and ask parents to be vigilant in monitoring their childrens’ activities online.

“We want to make sure that parents are aware of this situation and hopefully there will not be any incidents in our communities. Of course, if you believe your child has gone missing please do not hesitate to call 911 or reach out to your local police department,” Chief McNeil said. “With that said, Chapter 269 Section 13A makes it a crime for anyone who ‘intentionally and knowingly makes or causes to be made a false report of a crime to police officers’ and charges will be filed accordingly.”

ABOUT SEMLEC

The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council is a mutual aid consortium comprised of resources from the police departments of 30 cities and towns. It responds when requested a chief of police to assist with search and rescue, special events, or major crimes. SEMLEC also draws on some of the most talented police officers in the region to form the SEMLEC SWAT Team, which deploys when needed to save lives and protect the citizens of southeastern Massachusetts. 

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SEMLEC SWAT Unit Receives Donation of Tourniquet Kits

Benjamin Paulin News , ,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: ben@jgpr.net

SEMLEC SWAT Unit Receives Donation of Tourniquet Kits

The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) and Carver Police Chief and SEMLEC SWAT Control Chief Marc Duphily are pleased to announce at the SEMLEC SWAT unit recently accepted a donation of a dozen tourniquet kits by a local non-profit.

The 12 kits, worth about $100 apiece, were donated by the LEO Support Foundation in September. The LEO Support Foundation is a local non-profit that raises money to purchase protective and life-saving equipment for police officers.

LEO Support Foundation President Michael Best delivered the kits to Chief Duphily personally.

Each kit contains a C-A-T tourniquet, QuikClot and trauma dressing, all of which is used to stop a wounded person’s bleeding.

“We want to thank Mr. Best and everyone at the LEO Support Foundation for their generous donation,” Chief Duphily said. “These kits went directly to the members of our SWAT unit and gives them the tools to help stop someone from bleeding during a critical incident.”

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Photo: Taunton Police and SEMLEC Search and Rescue Searching for Missing 14-Year-Old Taunton Boy

John Guilfoil News
Photo: Taunton Police and SEMLEC Search and Rescue Searching for Missing 14-Year-Old Taunton Boy

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

Activated Under the Local Control of the Taunton Police Department, Edward James Walsh Chief of Police and Led by Control Chief George M. McNeil of the Somerset Police Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, Dec 20, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Photo: SEMLEC Search and Rescue Searching for Missing 14-Year-Old Taunton Boy

TAUNTON — Chief Edward James Walsh reports that the Taunton Police Department has activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit. Police and other rescuers are searching for a missing East Taunton boy who is believed to be in danger.

Zachary Halloran is a 14-year-old male, 5’4″ tall, weighing 115 lbs.. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen leaving the Rowley Avenue area on foot and is believed to be carrying a backpack. He is believed to be wearing a dark colored shirt and/or jacket, as well as dark sweatpants.

The SEMLEC Search and Rescue Unit is actively searching for Zachary at this time, and first responders from around the region have joined the effort to provide mutual aid to Taunton.

Anyone with information regarding Zachary’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Taunton Police Department at 508-823-5000.

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*FOUND* Wareham Police Report Missing 12-Year-Old Girl Has Been Located

Benjamin Paulin News , , , , , , ,

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

Under the Local Control of the:

Wareham Police Department

John Walcek, Acting Chief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

*FOUND*

Wareham Police Report Missing 12-Year-Old Girl Has Been Located

WAREHAM — Acting Wareham Police Chief John Walcek, working as control chief of the South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Search and Rescue Unit, reports that a missing 12-year-old girl was found safe Thursday morning.

At approximately 6:45 a.m. today, the girl was found by a resident in Wareham after she approached him looking for help while he was dropping his child off at a bus stop. The resident knew she had been missing after seeing reports and called Wareham Police. The girl had been in the woods through most of the night.

The girl was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Dozens of law enforcement officers searched throughout the day and night Wednesday in the area of Indian Neck Road and Great Neck Road in Wareham after she was reported missing from a group home.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

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Wareham Police Department Searching for Missing 12-Year-Old Girl

Benjamin Paulin News , , , , , ,

South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

Under the Local Control of the:

Wareham Police Department

John Walcek, Acting Chief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Wareham Police Department Searching for Missing 12-Year-Old Girl