Last week, the Fitchburg State University Police Department hosted an Active Attack Integrated Response (AAIR) course through ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training).

This intensive 16-hour, two-day program brought together regional police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and dispatchers to enhance tactical coordination during critical emergencies. The curriculum focused on integrated rescue task force concepts, unified command, and point-of-injury medical intervention.

Special thanks to the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC), the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA), and ALERRT for facilitating this essential training. Inter-agency collaboration remains vital to ensuring the safety and preparedness of our campus and surrounding communities.

Orientation isn’t just for our newest Falcons—it’s for their support systems, as well. While our incoming students spent the day diving into information sessions to prep for the fall, their parents and families participated in their own comprehensive transition programming — including campus safety with UPD Deputy Chief Lamarche, student services, and meeting with our Academic Deans. 

The Fitchburg State University Police Department is proud to announce the formal promotion of Andrew Lamarche to the rank of Deputy Chief. Following his official appointment on July 12, Deputy Chief Lamarche was sworn into his new role during a ceremony held at Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge.

 Protecting, serving, and thriving right alongside our community!  Today is #PublicServiceDay, and we want to send a massive shoutout to the incredible officers and staff of the Fitchburg State University Police Department! Our campus police are so much more than a department—they are a deeply integral part of our daily university life. From keeping our campus secure to connecting with students, offering guidance, and always being ready to jump into campus activities (even if it means braving the mechanical bull at a campus event! ), they show up for our flock every single day with professionalism and pride. Thank you to our dedicated officers, dispatchers, and staff for your unwavering commitment to our safety, your mentorship, and your constant support of student life. 

As we observe National Police Week, Fitchburg State University extends its gratitude to our University Police Department.

Alum Dan Richard of DG Richard Associates, LLC brought a wealth of expertise as he provided training for our Fitchburg State University Police Department today. Sessions focused on two critical pillars of their work: Leadership Development: Strengthening our team from the inside out, and Procedural Integrity: Ensuring all investigations are conducted with constitutional and procedural soundness. Continuous learning is how our Fitchburg State University Police Department stay sharp and serve our community better.

While students are on break, the Fitchburg State University Police Department uses this time as an opportunity to brush up on their skills with varied training sessions. Here, Sgt. Timothy Grant runs a first aid & CPR refresher for our officers. 

We couldn't let National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day pass without a massive shout-out to Chief Michael Cloutier and the entire  Fitchburg State University Police  team! 

At Fitchburg State University, policing is about more than safety—it’s about community. Whether they’re at a student forum, cheering at an event, or just stopping for a chat in the quad, our officers go above and beyond to keep our campus welcoming and approachable. We’re incredibly lucky to have a team that prioritizes building trust and genuine friendships over everything else.

This morning saw the culmination of the Annual Care & Share Holiday Community Program, spearheaded by the Office of Student Engagement, Fitchburg Community Outreach Center (FCOC) & the Mckay Elementary School. Members of Materials Management, University Police, and  Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness gathered in Hammond Hall to gather gifts donated by faculty and staff for our Care & Share Program. After an escort from University Police, for delivery to the McKay Campus School, gifts for 32 families were sorted. For more than 45 years, the campus community has "adopted" children from the McKay school community to receive unwrapped gifts. This year, 118 Children were "adopted."