Boston man "piggybacked" in MBTA station then causes disturbance.

Eric Schell

On March 30, 2014 at approximately 7:51 pm Transit Police officers working in Area 1 received a radio call to respond to Downtown Crossing MBTA station (Orange Line southbound platform) for an assault in progress. Upon arrival officers observed a male, later identified as Eric Schell, 49 of Boston, causing a disturbance inside the train. Officers approached Schell and requested he step out of the train so they could ascertain what his issue was. Schell refused and continued his tumultuous behavior using expletives and causing others to move away from him out of fear. The officers requested a second time and Schell ignored their requests yet again. Ultimately Schell stepped off the train, however his disruptive behavior continued and he began to scream derogatory names directed at a female patron. At this time Schell was taken into custody for Disorderly Conduct. As Schell was being escorted to a Transit Police cruiser he continued his tirade.

Officers spoke with the female patron, who was on the receiving end of Schell's rant, she stated the following: as she entered through the fare gates she noticed Schell had "piggybacked" in behind her. Before she was completely through the gates Schell was pushing her from behind and shouting  "Hurry Up".  (the patron had never met nor had a prior relationship with Schell preceding the incident).

It is expected Schell will be arraigned sometime today in Boston Municipal Court-Central Division  for Disorderly Conduct.

media inquiries should be sent to tpdnews@mbta.com

tpdnews.

The events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Dorchester woman caught selling drugs inside Red Line train.

Rebecca Donahue

On March 28, 2014 at approximately 1:10pm Transit Police detectives were travelling on a southbound Red Line train and observed a female, later identified as Rebecca Donahue, 42 of Dorchester distribute a controlled class C substance (Klonopins) to a male, later identified as Michael King, 30 also of Dorchester in exchange for money. This transaction took place inside the train car as it stopped at the JFK/UMass MBTA station in Dorchester.

Detectives approached the duo and placed them into custody. Donahue was found to be in possession of additional narcotics, a controlled class B substance (Suboxone). Both subjects were transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. It is expected Donahue and King will be arraigned sometime on 03/31/2014 in Dorchester District Court for violation of the Commonwealth's Drug Laws.

Michael King

We believe drug related activity on the MBTA harms the quality of life for MBTA patrons and employees. If you have information regarding drug and/or criminal activity on the MBTA and would like to pass along that information but wish to remain anonymous, you can text your tip to 873873. Our Text a Tip line is 100% anonymous.


media inquiries should be sent to tpdnews@mbta.com

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The events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.



MBTA Transit PD receives 3rd Re-Accreditation from CALEA

MBTA Transit Police Department was Awarded

“Re-Accreditation” Status

On March 22, 2014, the MBTA Transit Police Department received its 3^rd re-accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).   The Department was originally awarded accreditation status in 2005.

MBTA Transit PD Chief Paul MacMillan (right center) 2014 CALEA Awards

 Accreditation is a self-initiated evaluation process by which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession. These carefully selected standards reflect critical areas of police management, operations, and technical support activities. They cover areas such as policy development, emergency response planning, training, communications, property and evidence handling, use of force, vehicular pursuit, prisoner transportation and holding facilities. The program not only sets standards for the law enforcement profession, but also for the delivery of police services to citizens.

 Under the leadership of Chief Paul S. MacMillan, the MBTA Transit Police Department was assessed in October, 2013 by a team of assessors.  The Assessment Team found the Department to be in compliance with all applicable standards for Accreditation.  To conduct the initial self-assessment and prepare for the on-site review of the accreditation standards by CALEA, Chief MacMillan appointed Officer Roberta Spinosa to serve as the Department’s Accreditation Manager.      

 

BENEFITS OF ACCREDITATION 

 The standards for accreditation impact officer and public safety, address high liability/risk management issues, and generally promote operational efficiency throughout the agency.  The benefits are therefore many and will vary among participating departments based on the state of the department when it enters the process.  In other words, the benefits will be better known when the department quantifies the changes that it made as a direct result of achieving accreditation.  Generally, these changes involve policy writing, facility improvements, and equipment purchases. Listed below are some of the more common benefits. 

 

Accreditation:

· provides a norm for an agency to judge its performance.

· provides a basis to correct deficiencies before they become public problems.

· requires agencies to commit policies and procedures to writing.

· promotes accountability among agency personnel and the evenhanded application of policies.

· provides a means of independent evaluation of agency operations.

· minimizes an agency’s exposure to liability, builds a stronger defense against lawsuits, and has the potential to reduce liability insurance costs.

· enhances the reputation of the agency and increases the public’s confidence in it.

 

 

 

 

media inquiries should be directed to tpdnews@mbta.com

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Point of Entry Policing; Fields Corner/Park Street

Hiep Pham

On March 27, 2014 at approximately 9:45 am Transit Police officers working in Area 3 were conducting Point of Entry Policing at Fields Corner MBTA station. While there they observed a male, later identified as Hiep Pham, 41 of Boston loitering near the Ashmont Platform fence. This is an area known to Transit Police as a location where individuals will attempt to climb over to gain access into the station. Officers approached Pham to ascertain why he was loitering in the area and subsequently discovered there was a warrant in existence for his arrest issued from Quincy District Court for Vandalize Property and Larceny over 250.00. Pham was placed into custody and Transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process.




Michael Lowe

On March 27, 2014 at approximately 6:12 pm Transit Police officers working in Area 1 were conducting Point of Entry Policing at MBTA Park Street station. While there they observed a male, later identified as Michael Lowe, 26 of Chelmsford, fare evade by "piggybacking" in behind a paying customer. Officers approached Lowe for the purpose of issuing a ciatation and subsequently discovered there was a warrant for his arrest issued from Lowell District Court for Larceny by check over 250.00 and Larceny over 250.00. Lowe was placed into custody and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. Lowe was also issued a citation for fare evasion.

media inquiries should be sent to tpdnews@mbta.com

tpdnews.

The events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Quincy man arrested for Impersonating a Police Officer

Michael Murray

On March 18, 2014 at approximately 5:25 pm Transit Police officers working in Area 3 were patrolling Quincy Center MBTA station when they were approached by two male victims who relayed the following: as they were parked in the "Pick up Drop off " area of the station they were approached by a male who identified himself as a police officer. The suspect male went on to demand the victims produce identification and then simulated speaking into his cell phone requesting "back up". The suspect male then ordered one of the victims to open the center console so he could see it's contents. At this time one of the victims requested the suspect male produce a badge and/or some form of police identification. The suspect male responded by unzipping his jacket and declaring " I don't need to show you anything ".  At this time one of the victims exited the vehicle and the suspect fled the area.

Shortly thereafter the victims observed the suspect male on the corner of Hancock and Granite Street, as they approached him he removed a box cutter from his waistband and waved it at the victims in a threatening manner and demanded they not inform anyone of what had transpired.

Subsequent to an investigation Transit Police obtained an arrest warrant for Michael Murray, 33 of Quincy for Impersonating a Police Officer and Assault by means of a Dangerous Weapon issued from Quincy District Court. On 03/27/2014 Murray was taken into custody by Transit Police detectives in Quincy and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. It is expected Murray will be arraigned sometime today in Quincy District Court.

media inquiries should be sent to tpdnews@mbta.com

tpdnews.

The events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Point of Entry Policing- Park Street MBTA

James McGillicuddy

On March 26, 2014 at approximately 10 am Transit Police officers working in Area 1 were conducting Point of Entry Policing at MBTA Park Street station. While there they observed a male, later idnetified as James McGillicuddy, 21 of Boston fare evade by "piggybacking" in behind a paying customer. Officers approached McGillucuddy for the purpose of issuing a citation and subsequently discovered there was a warrant in existence for McGillucuddy's arrest issued from Boston Municipal Court-Central Division for Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon and Possession of a Buglarious Instrument. McGillicuddy was placed into custody and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process.


media inquiries should be sent to tpdnews@mbta.com

tpdnews.

The events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Good Samaritans come to the aid of robbery victim.

Cesar Gonzalez

On March 25, 2014 at approximately 9:30 am Transit Police officers working in Area 1 received a radio call to respond to MBTA Downtown Crossing Station (Red Line platform) for an assault in progress. Upon arrival officers observed several individuals restraining a male, later identified as Cesar Gonzalez, 26 of Boston. The officers were informed of the following; a female victim was travelling on a red line train (Gonzalez was also present on the train) as the train stopped at DTC the victim exited and began walking on the platform. Suddenly Gonzalez came up from behind the victim and attempted to grab her purse. The victim held tightly onto her purse and was yelling for help. At this time several good Samaritans heard the victim screaming and came to her aid tackling Gonzalez to the floor and restraining him until the police arrived.

Gonzalez was placed into custody and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. During this time Gonzalez was found to be in possession of a brown powdery substance believed to be Heroin.  Gonzalez was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court-Central Division on 03/25/2014 for Attempted Unarmed Robbery and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

media inquiries should be sent to tpdnews@mbta.com

tpdnews.

The events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Attention Media: video of the incident will not be released.