Six Members of UMass Lowell Police Department Honored
UMass Lowell Police Department members, from left, Joe Brown, Melissa Mullen, Michael Soucy, Randy Brashears, Walter Nadeau, Jeff Connors and Sean Donovan at the Dec. 18 ceremony at Northeastern.
01/09/2015
By Ed Brennen
Nadeau and Donovan sprang into action, beginning CPR and performing chest compressions and artificial breathing until paramedics arrived. The victim soon regained his pulse and survived the ordeal.
In recognition of their roadside rescue efforts, Nadeau and Donovan received the Heroic Action Award at the Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators’ 27th annual awards ceremony Dec. 18 at Northeastern University.
Six members of the UMass Lowell Police Department were honored in all — the most of any of the 68 campus law enforcement agencies represented. Sgt. Mike Soucy, Lt. Melissa Mullen and Officers Joe Brown and Jeff Connors were also recognized for their outstanding work.
“These MACLEA awards are a testament to the dedicated staff we have here at UMass Lowell,” says UMass Lowell Police Chief Randy Brashears. “We are fortunate to have such a motivated workforce.”
Mullen, a 20-year veteran of the force, received an award for Outstanding Administrative Contribution. As Administrative Lieutenant, Mullen oversees the detective unit and community policing. Mullen also monitors daily reports to ensure compliance with the Clery Act, the federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.
Soucy, Brown and Connors were also recognized for Outstanding Administrative Contribution thanks to two of their community policing initiatives: the Home Visit Program, which has officers actively engage with the community to address off-campus issues; and Coffee with a Cop, a program that encourages friendly interaction between law enforcement officials and community members.
In congratulating the award-winners, Executive Vice Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney noted how their efforts reflect on the entire department.
“Congratulations to each of you for your MACLEA award and for your tremendous contributions to the university and our campus culture in the area of safety and security,” Moloney said. “You have made the university proud through your leadership.”
MACLEA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the administration of law enforcement and security programs on college campuses across the state, has 117 members from its 68 represented agencies.