To the editor:
The graduates of the 2025 Marblehead Citizen Police Academy would like to thank Lisa Hooper, executive director, and Janice Salisbury-Beal, program director, at the Council of Aging and Lt. David Ostrovitz and Chief Dennis King of the Marblehead Police Department for their development, organization and presentation of these sessions.
Seventeen residents participated in this nine-week program held at the Council of Aging. The curriculum included presentations on the history of the department (Don Doliber), an overview of criminal law (Det. Theresa Gay), motor vehicle stops and O.U.I (Officers Daniel Ganon, Nicolas Michaud, Andrew DiMare), and defensive tactics, use-of-force and de-escalation training tools. K-9 Officers Jack Dub and Taylor Nolasco from the Essex County Sheriff Department performed demonstrations. There were tours of the Salem courts and Marblehead Police Station, and an introduction to the School Resource Resource Officer Sean Sweeny Jr.
We all very much appreciated the breadth of the program curriculum and quality of the teaching staff. The officers demonstrated tremendous knowledge, commitment and patience in their presentations and demonstrations.
We were all impressed with the work and time involved to develop and organize this program. This community outreach program successfully communicated the excellent services of our Police Department. We recommend this program to future participants.
Katherine Barker
Locust Street
Marjorie Norman
Maverick Street
Maggie Raftus
Elm Street
