Page 5 - French and Electric Blue - Winter 2017-2018

You also join a mission that is invested in First, you will be in a position to succeed because
combatting all forms of crimes against people,
including street violence, sexual assault, and
human trafficking – a problem that victimizes
vulnerable young people.
You are joining a Department that takes
a leading role, along with our federal and local
partners, in protecting our state from terrorism,
violent extremism, and mass violence. Since the
September 11 attacks of 2001, there have been
th
over 85 attacks by violent extremists in the United
States.
The citizens of this Commonwealth depend people closest to you will be your anchor and your
upon us to protect them and their families.
This is our mission.
Over the next several years, you will see
first-hand the opportunities that this career has to
offer. You will work with members of the Troop
Community Action Teams, State Police Detectives,
Gang Unit Troopers, and our Violent Fugitive
Apprehension Section. You will observe the
forensic capabilities of our Crime Scene Services
Section, Collision Analysis and Reconstruction
Section and our Firearms Identification Section.
You will be impressed by the tactical expertise
of our Air Wing, STOP Team, K-9, Marine and
Mounted Units, amongst others.
As your career progresses, you may have
the opportunity to apply for and work within these and physically; highly competent in policing skills,
specialty units. Perhaps you will choose to remain
with the dedicated men and women who patrol
our roadways. I, myself, have great memories
of the years I spent in our Crime Scene Services
Section, collecting evidence and analyzing latent
fingerprints.
Through it all, my pledge to you is that my
Command Staff and I will always do everything in
our power to help and support you, to make your
safety and wellness a priority, and ensure you have before you, especially those who made the ultimate
the tools you need to perform your duties.
Wherever your Massachusetts State Police
career takes you over the years, there will be three
constants:
F r en c h·a n d·E le c t r ic·B l ue·W in t er·2017/2018·p a g e·5
of the outstanding foundation of training built
over these last 24 weeks in New Braintree.
Second, wherever you go, whatever duties you
assume, you will be expected to uphold the highest
ideals and values of the Massachusetts State Police.
And lastly, all of us need a support system outside
of the job. As you have learned throughout the
Academy, none of us can do this job alone. We
need the support of family, loved ones, and
friends. As you weather the stormy seas that are
part of any law enforcement officer’s life, those
beacon. They have been, and will continue to be, a
broad set of shoulders for you to lean on. I ask all
of you to always remember that a law enforcement
career asks not only the officer to sacrifice, but asks
the same of your loved ones.
So I would like to thank all of the families
and friends here for sharing your loved ones with
us and being there for them through the good and
the bad. These troopers now become part of the
Massachusetts State Police family, and through
them, you too are now part of our extended family.
Twenty-four weeks ago, you entered the
State Police Academy, somewhat unsure of what
the future would hold. Today, you stand before us
as a better version of yourself– stronger, mentally
weapons use, and defensive tactics; well-versed
in criminal law, patrol procedures, and ethical
standards; and even more committed to this most
challenging but rewarding profession – to protect
and serve!
If I could leave you with some final words
of advice that were given to me as a new Trooper
– always remember who you are and where you
came from, and never forget those who came
sacrifice.
Thank you, good luck, and congratulations 83
rd
RTT!