Fiscal Year 2025 Data

FY2025 Police Town Report

Police Department

Message to the Community:

The South Hadley Police Department remains committed to providing professional, compassionate, and community focused service. Over the past year, we’ve continued to strengthen partnerships, expand outreach efforts, and improved public safety across town. Like many departments across the nation, we have faced challenges with staffing and increasing call volume, but our team has worked tirelessly to maintain the highest level of service. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and resilience shown by our officers, dispatchers, and civilian staff. To the residents of South Hadley: thank you for your continued support. We value your feedback and partnership as we work together to address concerns and build lasting solutions. I encourage you to stay engaged and involved, whether by attending community meetings or simply stopping to speak with our officers. We look forward to another year of meaningful service, continued progress, and growing connections with you all.

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Gundersen 

Chief of Police 

Staffing, FY25:

In FY25, SHPD was budgeted for 30 sworn in police officers, one of which was funded by a grant. 6 full-time emergency communication center dispatchers, 1 full-time administrative assistant/payroll/records clerk, and 2 part-time emergency dispatchers. 

Officer Christian Santiago was sworn in on March 18th, 2025. Officer Santiago graduated from Holyoke Community College in 2020 and attended the Western Mass Chief of Police’s Reserve Academy! 

Dispatcher Jonathan Kiely also joined our Communications Center in November 2025, becoming the sixth full-time dispatcher!

The South Hadley Police Department extends our deepest sympathies to the family of retired Sergeant Casmir Domurat, who passed away on February 6, 2025. Sgt. Domurat began his service in July 1977 as a Reserve Officer, became full-time in 1980, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1982. He dedicated over 20 years to the department before retiring in June 2000. 

We are deeply grateful for his service to both the department and the South Hadley community.

Awards & Recognition: 

MPAC Re-Accreditation – South Hadley Police Department: On June 18, 2025, the South Hadley Police Department was awarded re-accreditation by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC).

This achievement follows a rigorous three- year process and a comprehensive on-site assessment in January 2025, measuring compliance with over 330 professional standards. Sgt. Barry O’Connor and Lt. Mark Baran led the department’s efforts. South Hadley remains one of only seven municipal police departments in Western Massachusetts to hold this distinction. The department extends thanks to the Town Administration and Selectboard for their continued support.

Champions of Inclusivity – SHPD Western Mass CIT TTAC: The South Hadley Police Department’s Western Mass CIT TTAC team was recognized at the 2025

Celebration of Intellectual and; Developmental Disabilities Month. The DDS Holyoke/Chicopee Citizens Advisory Board presented the team with a Certificate of Recognition for their efforts in promoting inclusive environments across DDS service models. Chief Gundersen, Officer Cindy Boyle, Monica Bellucci, and Carolyn St. Andre accepted the award on behalf of the team.

Exceptional Service Award – Officers Corey Whelihan & Karl Kapinos: On July 1, 2025, Officers Whelihan and Kapinos were honored for their courageous response to a call involving an emotionally disturbed male armed with a knife and taser. The subject advanced on officers and refused all commands. Demonstrating restraint and professionalism, the officers used a taser to safely de-escalate the situation, later learning the male intended a “suicide by police.” Their actions ensured a peaceful outcome and upheld the department’s highest standards.

Exceptional Service Award – School Resource Officer Helems: SRO Helems was one of only two officers statewide to receive the Exceptional Service Award from the Massachusetts Juvenile Police Officers Association at the 19th Annual New England School Safety Conference on May 6, 2025. With nearly five years of service in South Hadley Public Schools, Officer Helems has built strong, impactful relationships that reflect positively on the department and school community.

Grant Funding, FY25: 

The South Hadley Police Department was awarded $236,514 in grant funding during fiscal year 2025. This supplemental funding includes the following: 

$107,000 from the Massachusetts E911 Department in support of the E911 Dispatch Center; $103,064 from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to fund a mental health co-responder shared with Granby and Belchertown Police Departments; $23,950 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) for traffic enforcement overtime and a portable speed board; $1,000 from the Franklin Reginal Council of Governments to offset costs for police security during the presidential election; and $500 from EOPSS to purchase child passenger safety seats. 

Call Activity, FY25:

During fiscal year 2025, South Hadley Police Officers arrested 122 individuals, with approximately 32% of those arrests resulting from court issued warrants. Additionally, 274 individuals were summoned to court for criminal offenses. Arrests and summonses for FY25 reflect a +8.5 % change compared to FY24. A total of 821 citations were issued during FY25. 

The South Hadley Communications Center dispatched first responders to 21,640 calls for service, representing a -5%  change from the previous fiscal year. Officers also conducted 128 community outreach events throughout the year, continuing effort to build strong relationships between the department and the public. 

Community Outreach Programs, FY25:

Members of the Department participated in numerous community outreach partnerships this year. In our fifth year participating, we have grown our collaboration with the South Hadley High School Criminal Justice Program and numerous police officers taught curriculums at the SHHS. Additionally, the department had an intern from the CJ program working in the department on clerical tasks. The department has also extended the Intern Program to include a Criminal Justice student from Salem State University.

In the Spring, officers participated in an event with the Best Buddies where young individual with both physical and mental disabilities compete in games and events. Department personnel assisted with the event and handed out medals to all participants at the end of the day. Organized by our police officers, with other local public safety partners, staff contributed in several events to assist those with food and/or financial insecurity, including a Thanksgiving turkey drive, our 2nd Annual Food Drive, and Stuff the Cruiser Toy Drive. We also held our bi-annual Drug Take Back which allows residents to drop off unwanted and unused prescription medications. We also participate in the Recreation Department’s “Big Rig Day” by providing a cruiser an officer to interact with curious children. Lastly, the South Hadley PD held a public safety day in celebration of our 150 years as an organization. This event allowed families to learn about the public safety assets in the area, and allowed many different organizations to meet with the public.

Crisis Intervention Team: Sergeant Michael Pollender oversees the departments Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), with Officer Cindy Boyle functioning as the team’s coordinator. The CIT continues to utilize the services of a mental health clinician who works as a co-responder, riding with CIT officers to crisis calls and to conduct follow up visits. This co-responder is also shared with the communities of Granby, and Belchertown. In Fiscal Year 2025, the team and department responded to approximately 232 crisis / mental health calls for service, and conducted approximately 99 follow up visits, which includes follow up visits with survivors of domestic violence. The addition of Officer Murphy, our Comfort K9 has offered a new and beneficial aspect to our team. Along with his handler Officer Emily Tebo, Officer Murphy is a staple in the station visiting with officers in between calls for service. Officer Murphy has also assisted with victims during investigations, as well as making appearances at town events and venues.

TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors And Law Enforcement Together): Officer Emily Tebo is the Departments’ liaison to the  TRIAD/S.A.L.T. In December, Officer Murphy joined TRIAD/S.A.L.T. and attended many of the TRIAD/S.A.L.T meetings and events. The TRAID/S.A.L.T. program continues to be involved in numerous programs, including the “Salt For Seniors” campaign, which provides sand to seniors throughout South Hadley in an effort to prevent falls/injuries in icy weather. 

TRIAD also participated in two (2) National Drug Take Back days in the fall and spring, collecting several hundred pounds of unwanted medications, keeping them out of our natural resources, and helping to prevent the start of opioid addiction. Once again, South Hadley was one of the towns with the most unwanted medications collected in Hampshire County. TRIAD/S.A.L.T. also participated in the South Hadley Council on Aging’s “Aging in Place: Health and Awareness Fair.” TRIAD/S.A.L.T. also facilitated a document shredding day that was free to all those who participated. This event allowed residents to dispose of important documents that were no longer needed in a safe and secure manner to combat identity fraud. With the assistance of the Friends of South Hadley Seniors, TRIAD/S.A.L.T. handed out stockings stuffed with helpful items to homebound seniors during the holiday season. Playing cards, notepads, lip balm and candy were some of the items included in the stockings

School Resource Officers: During the 2024-2025 school year, SROs Helems and Faginski continued on their work in South Hadley schools, prioritizing safety, student engagement, and mental health support. Officer Helems remained posted at the high school and supported Skala, while officer Faginski was stationed at the middle school and assisted at Mosier Elementary. 

Officer Helems maintained strong relationships with students and staff, supported Peer Leaders and Criminal Justice Vocational group through events like “Carts and Goggles.” He helped connect SHPD members with criminal justice classes and organized a student visit to the police department. Helems collaborated with counselors, clinicians, and the SHPD co-responder to address mental health needs. He participated in district safety drills and reunification training, and attended mental health and substance use meetings. His work has strengthened student-police relations and supported school safety efforts. 

Officer Faginski handled day-to-day school safety while also addressing student incidents, including one referred to Restorative Justice. He supported patrol during off-hours for missing juveniles and other student related calls. Faginski worked closely with school staff and the co-responder to manage mental health concerns, referring families to appropriate services. He was active in safety training, emergency drills, and district wide wellness meetings. His consistent presence has improved school safety and student support at both middle and elementary levels. 

FY25 Staffing:  

29 budgetted sworn police positions, 1 grant funded police position.  1 Vacancy: 24 Males/5 females 
5 budgetted Dispatch positions, 1 grant funded dispatch position.  
1 budgetted Records/Admin position

FY2025 Crimes Reported

FY2025 Calls for Service