**Please do not donate here as we are restricted on how we can use these funds. We are in the process of setting up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of lawn signs. Thank you, everyone.**

The Somerset Board of Selectmen recently voted NOT to renew Police Chief George McNeil’s contract for no reason after 7+ years of his leadership, dedication, and commitment to his officers, his town, and the Somerset Police Department.

We, the people of Somerset, demand that the Board of Selectmen reconsider their poor political decision, extend Chief McNeil’s contract immediately, and stop playing politics with public safety!

Chief McNeil’s accomplishments with Somerset Police Department and the Town of Somerset speak for themselves, but notable highlights include:

• Established K-9 unit in 2014 with no taxpayer money. Through only grants and donations. The grant provided $38,000.00 to the unit and donations topped $40,000.00

• Replenished a fleet of aging cruisers with the use of asset forfeiture money.

• Started the BJ Voss 5K in memory of Somerset Police Officer Benjamin Voss with the help of staff and their families. It was established in 2015 and has created scholarships for students at both Bristol Community College and Somerset Berkley for years to come.

• Started an explorer program for youths 14 to 20 who are interested in a police career.

• Initiated the Nextdoor.com platform in 2015 establishing 28 neighborhoods, writing hundreds of weekly newsletters to maintain transparency and encourage community participation.  

• Won a national award for creating the Somerset Police Department Nextdoor.com page because of his weekly newsletter and responses.

• Established an e-commerce safety zone, offering residents a safe place to meet.  

• Established a camera registry for citizens who have home surveillance cameras in order to have the public assist in catching criminals.

• Established a social media presence to inform and educate the public.

• Made the SPD the most transparent police department in Massachusetts.

• Created specialized police patches for breast cancer awareness and autism in order to raise awareness and money for charity.

• Started an ice cream coupon giveaway using his own money for children wearing bicycle helmets.

• Had SPD reaccredited twice by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission

• Established a traffic enforcement unit to address concerns of the community.

• Began a Problem Oriented Policing (POP) unit to address areas of the community with repeat calls for service.

• Started a drone program to assist in the search for missing persons and to search areas not accessible.

• Continues to support and help fund the Police Athletic League

• Currently in the process of creating a marine unit.

• Continually provides opportunities for officers by creating new and innovative initiatives without costing additional money to taxpayers.

• First in southeastern Massachusetts to have e-citations and printers in cruisers.

• Secured grants for new state of the art digital sign for the public safety complex

• Recently secured grant funding to provide for body worn cameras for SPD officers.

• Continues to recruit outstanding police officers.

• Adjunct Professor at Bridgewater State University for 11 years.  Some of his students are now police officers at the SPD.

• President of Bristol County Police Chiefs Association for 4 years. Recently reelected. As such secured a grant for $100,000 for training of Bristol County cities and towns.

• Assessor for the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission as well as a member of their Standards and Training Committee.

• Vice President of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC).

• Control Chief for the Search and Rescue unit of SEMLEC.

If you want to show your support for OUR Chief, George McNeil, tell Somerset Selectmen Lorne Lawless and Allen Smith to stop playing politics with public safety and reconsider Chief McNeil’s contract!

Lorne Lawless (llawless@town.somerset.ma.us)

Allen Smith (asmith@town.somerset.ma.us)