Community Engagement Unit

Sergeant Walter Fleming supervises the Community Engagement Unit and they are involved with the following programs:

  • Community Engagement Specialists: The Methuen Police Department now employs two civilian employees to assist people who are suffering from addiction. The employees are building relationships with available treatment programs so they can work with the person in addiction as well as their families to make sure that they are aware of and have access to all available resources. The employees also focus on educating the public in the areas of drug prevention and education. This program is a focal point for the department as it strives to change the interactions between people suffering from addiction and our department. The two community engagement specialists also coordinate Police Department-sponsored events such as a Recovery Walk as well as an Annual Vigil, which recognizes families that have lost loved ones to addiction. These events will take place during September, which is national recovery month. We have currently been accepted into the PAARI Ameri-Corps program and have hired 3 Community Addiction Coaches which will augment our CARES program.
  • M.V.P.A.S.A.P. - Officers attend the monthly meetings of the Merrimack Valley Prevention and Substance Abuse Project and participate in the group's events as well as helping to promote the group's initiatives.
  • Prescription Drug Turn-in Program - The Methuen Police Department currently has a receptacle in its lobby that allows residents to properly dispose of unwanted medication. The department then oversees the proper destruction of the medication in partnership with Covanta Waste.
  • Needle Disposal Kiosk - The Police Department in partnership with the Mass Department of Public Health now has a needle disposal kiosk located in its lobby. This allows residents to properly dispose of needles. The disposal is coordinated entirely by the state health department at no cost to the city.
  • View information on our Wellness Wednesdays Program (PDF).