Select Board appoints Brian Collins to Southborough Police Department

The Select Board voted unanimously May 20 to appoint Brian Collins to the position of full-time police officer with the Southborough Police Department.

Chief Newell introduced Collins, saying he is a resident of Grafton, currently a full-time police sergeant with the Northbridge Police Department and has about 14 years of law-enforcement experience, four years of which were in a supervisory sergeant role. Chief Newell said Collins holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Southern New Hampshire University and is working toward a master’s degree at the same institution.

"We're excited to have Brian as a part of our team," Chief Newell said. Newell told the board that Collins could begin the department's field training program as early as the next morning if appointed.

Select Board member Andrea (full name not stated) moved the appointment; the motion was seconded and the board performed a roll call vote to accommodate a remote member. The roll call recorded five affirmative votes (Tim Fling, Al Hamilton, Marguerite, Andrew Dennington and Cathy Cook). The appointment brings the force to 20 full-time sworn officers, with two additional positions still to fill in the department’s current staffing plan. Town Clerk Jim Heggarty administered the oath of office at the meeting, and Chief Newell thanked the board and community for their support of department recruitment.