Officers Thomas Brown and Garrett MacDonald, pictured on bike patrol along Atlantic Avenue at the Cunningham Bridge earlier this year, are two of the 12 seasonal patrol officers for the Cohasset Police Department. The department is extending the officers into the fall this year to help assist with COVID-19-related enforcement. (Photo courtesy Cohasset Police Department) 
Officers Thomas Brown and Garrett MacDonald, pictured on bike patrol along Atlantic Avenue at the Cunningham Bridge earlier this year, are two of the 12 seasonal patrol officers for the Cohasset Police Department. The department is extending the officers into the fall this year to help assist with COVID-19-related enforcement. (Photo courtesy Cohasset Police Department)
COHASSET– Police Chief William Quigley and the Cohasset Police Department announce that their seasonal summertime police officers will continue their duties into the fall.
The seasonal force consists of 12 officers who have full police authority and are trained as reserve/intermittent police officers. The officers’ patrol duties usually end after Labor Day, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic their duties have been extended into the fall.
The seasonal officers typically work on bicycle, UTV, or foot to patrol beaches, trails, parks and the coast. Their primary function this year has been to help with crowd control, social distancing and following COVID-19 regulations for those visiting the area.
“We are grateful to be able to have these patrol officers to continue to keep our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chief Quigley said. “Through increased patrols and visibility, these 12 officers will help us to continue to monitor the happenings in our community and make sure all residents and visitors to Cohasset are practicing the proper COVID-19 safety measures.”
Seasonal officers are all trained and certified Massachusetts Police Officers. They attend approximately 500 hours of academy training for their certification and are required to complete 40 hours of in-service training annually.
The seasonal force includes recent college graduates, usually criminal justice majors. While working for the Cohasset Police Department they gain a feel for real-world police duties and are commonly hired full time (either by the CPD or another agency) after gaining valuable experience. The average time of service as a season officer is approximately four years.
“Over the past five years we have had our part-time officers move on to the Massachusetts State Police, Rhode Island State Police, MBTA Transit Police, or departments in Quincy, Weymouth, Rockland, Braintree, Mashpee, Scituate or other agencies,” Chief Quigley said. “The program has expanded considerably since it began here in 1993, and this year more than ever we have seen the value these officers provide to our department and our community.”
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