| Home | About | Archives | RSS Feed |
Berkshire County Men Graduate From State Police Academy
 |
Justin A. Kruszyna of Cheshire and Ryan E. Mauer of Pittsfield on Friday joined the ranks of the Massachusetts State Police with the 80th Recruit Training Troop. The 208 trainees were appointed to the rank of trooper at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Gov. Deval Patrick, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan and state police Col. Marian McGovern welcomed the graduates and Patrick addressed them and administered the oath to the troopers.
"These graduates hold the honor of being the largest, most highly trained class the academy has ever produced, and the first in over five years," said Patrick. "I am pleased that we were able to secure the resources to make this happen for the state police class, which includes some of the bravest, strongest and smartest citizens from every corner of the commonwealth."
This is the largest graduating class in the history of the state police and the first since 2006. It includes former police officers, firefighters, attorneys, health-care professionals, military sergeants, business professionals and teachers. One hundred and three are veterans, 80 of whom served tours of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq or both.
Their traning began in mid-October and lasted 21 weeks. Curriculum included classroom study, physical training, defensive tactics and real-world law enforcement scenarios. These graduates participated in more than 75 scenario-based exercises during the course of their training along with traditional academic and physical training.
Early next week, the new troopers will begin a three-month break-in period during which they will be assigned to road patrols with a field training officer.
Because of attrition, the state is down approximately 500 troopers from its most recent high point in fall 2006. The new troopers will increase police presence on state highways and roads, as all of the trainees will begin their careers as road troopers.
"Your commandant, your training directors, your drill instructors, your firearms and fitness and defensive tactics instructors have all given you the tools you need to succeed," said McGovern. "That is, all the tools but one. The final piece, the quality upon which all the other skills and tools depend, is found inside each one of you."
Greylock Federal Teller Facing Embezzlement Charges
 |
Felisa Kazimierczak, 43, of Adams was charged with embezzlement for allegedly stealing $58,000 from Greylock. According to the Berkshire Eagle, she also faces charges for allegedly lying to police about a threatening note targeting her teenage daughter.
Officials at Greylock declined to speak on the issue. Greylock's statement reads:
"Greylock Federal Credit Union is among a number of local businesses that have been victimized by the recent criminal activity in Pittsfield.
We are assisting state and local law enforcement officials in their investigations.
Fortunately, Greylock is protected and fully insured so that the criminal activity did not impact Greylock’s financial strength and stability.
At the request of law enforcement we are providing no additional details at this time so that they can properly complete their investigation.
We remain fully committed to meeting the financial needs of our more than 70,000 Member/Owners and to supporting law enforcement officials in their efforts to make our community safer."
Attorney Files For Dismissal In Nilan Case
 |
According to a report on Masslive.com on Thursday, attorney Timothy Shugrue filed the motion because copies of a show-cause hearing in January and following appeal hearing were not available. Shugrue told Masslive that "no one appears to know where they went."
Nilan, 24, daughter of Berkshire Superior Court Probation Chief Clifford Nilan, was charged Wednesday morning with leaving the scene of personal-injury accident and negligent operation of a vehicle.
Police say Nilan hit Peter Moore, 45, a hospital administrator, on Winesap Road on evening of Dec. 8, 2011, as he was walking his dog. Moore suffered severe injuries including a broken neck and brain trauma.
The show cause hearing by a Westfield clerk-magistrate found no probable cause for charging her. Police appealed and a judge found for the criminal complaint to proceed.
Pittsfield Police: Robbery Related to Elm St. Incidents
 |
The suspect is a short, thin, white female who was wearing a black jacket with fur around the hood, black-hooded sweat shirt, black mask, black gloves and black pants. She carried a small black handbag and displayed a small handgun.
The suspect's vehicle was described as a slate blue smaller sport utility vehicle.
Police believe the suspect is the same person responsible for the recent Elm Street armed robberies and that she may be changing vehicles for each incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705 or email tkoenig@pittsfield.net.
Pittsfield Police Investigating Early Morning Shooting
 |
Pittsfield Police remained tight-lipped throughout the day about a shooting that occurred in the vicinity of Memorial Drive near Wahconah Street this morning.
As of Tuesday afternoon, details surrounding the shooting, which occurred sometime before 5 a.m. Tuesday, remain sparse. Investigators would not divulge the identity of the 40-year-old man who was shot in the chest.
"It's a shooting, it's still under investigation, and that's all we're going to release at this time," said Lt. Michael Grady of the Detectives Bureau.
Police Chief Michael Wynn told The Berkshire Eagle that the victim had given his assailant's first name but information on the shooting, including the time and place, weren't matching what investigagors were finding.
Representatives of Berkshire Medical Center, where the victim was taken, said they were unable to disclose any information about the man's condition.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Police were called to Memorial Drive off Wahconah Street around 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday, after getting a call that a man had been shot in the chest.
Few details are known at this time but according to broadcast reports, police responded to the scene and found a man described to be in his early 40s, with a possible gunshot wound in the chest. The victim was transported to Berkshire Medical Center for evaluation. Nothing more was known about the victim.
Police were reportedly looking for a possible male suspect and had some footprints and tire tracks in the fresh snow to look at, but nothing further has been released.
— Larry Kratka, Berkshire News Network
