History of the Duxbury Police Department
Through the early and mid 60’s, Chief Doyle worked tirelessly to have a new police station constructed for the growing department. In 1966, Chief Doyle ‘s efforts led to the town approving $125,000 to construct a stand-alone police station at the intersection of West Street and Church Street. Chief Doyle kept a watchful eye on the progress of construction at the new station. Sadly, Chief Doyle passed away in May of 1967, just weeks before his new station was completed. The new station on West Street was dedicated in his memory in December of 1967.
Chief Doyle Addressing Town Meeting (1966)
Ground Breaking of the West Street Station (1966)
As the town grew, the department grew. The department responded to 256 calls for service in its first year in 1931 and by the end of 1967 the department was handling over 15,000 calls for service annually. In 1967, Sgt. Henry McNeil was appointed Chief of Police following the passing of Chief Doyle. Chief McNeil was the fourth chief in the history of the Duxbury Police Department. The town and department continued to grow through the 70’s and early 80’s under the command of Chief McNeil. In 1983, Chief McNeil retired leaving a full time force that had grown to 25 with a large cadre of reserve officers.
Chief Henry McNeil
Chief Enrico Cappucci
Captain Thomas Johnson
Following Chief McNeil’s retirement, Captain Thomas Johnson was tapped by selectmen to serve as acting chief of police. Later in 1983, selectmen appointed Daniel Skelly as the department’s 5th permanent police chief. In 1986, Chief Skelly moved on to accept the position of Chief of the Capital Police in Boston, leading to the appointment of Enrico Cappucci on December 1, 1986. Chief Cappucci became department’s 6th permanent chief. Chief Cappucci came to Duxbury after serving as Chief of Police in Shirley Massachusetts. Chief Cappucci brought the department through the remainder of the 80's and most of the 90’s, retiring in 1996.
Our 1st D.A.R.E. Officer, Dennis Symmonds
Our 1st Canine Unit, Sue James & Bob
Through the 80's and 90's, under Chief Cappucci, the department continued to advance with the introduction of the town’s D.A.R.E. program founded by Patrolman Dennis Symmonds. Patrolman Symmonds was one of the first D.A.R.E. officers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Dennis was later promoted to Sergeant and currently is the department’s senior active officer. During this period the department created a canine unit with canine Bob and his handler, Patrolman Susan James. Sue James climbed the ranks to become a Lieutenant before retiring in 2011. Lt. James served as acting Chief on two occasions during her 32 year career.
While the department advanced in many ways in the 90’s, the decade proved to be a difficult time for the department on a personal level as several active officers fell ill and passed on from various natural causes. We lost some very good men who were in the prime of their lives. This website remembers those officers in the “In Memoriam” page.