New Bristol County corrections officers want to inspire positive change and change perspective

DARTMOUTH – The past few years haven’t been kind to law enforcement. From the pandemic to protests and unrest across the country in the wake of mistreatment allegations, being a member of a law enforcement organization is harder than ever.

That fact isn’t lost on the newest corrections officers at the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, but these public safety professionals want to be the catalyst for positive change in the relationship between the community and law enforcement.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my academy for graduating in these tough times with COVID-19 and the way law enforcement is looked upon right now,” said new officer Noah Ramalho. “We can start to change the perspective of the community, because even if one inmate leaves our care with the mindset that the officers helped them and cared about them, then they can carry that message to their friends, family and community and hopefully inspire the change we all hope to see.

“That starts with us.”

Wednesday evening capped the eight-week training program and the official graduation for the newest Bristol County corrections officers. Before family, friends and BCSO staff members, new officers Mauricio Arruda, Baba Camara, Trevor Pacheco and Ramalho (class valedictorian with a 94.4 grade average) received their badges and took the oath to join the ranks of Bristol County’s law enforcement team.

The graduating class of four is smaller than usual Bristol County academy classes but allowed for complete social distancing during classroom learning and most hands-on lessons.

“We may be a small class, but we have just as much heart and determination as any class that has come before,” Ramalho said.

In the ceremony’s keynote address, Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson welcomed the officers and wished them well in their law enforcement careers.

“Here at the Sheriff’s Office, there are more than 600 corrections and law enforcement professionals who come to work day in and day out to make their communities safer places to live, work and raise families,” Sheriff Hodgson told the graduates. “Today, our family is getting bigger, better, stronger and more diverse. Share your ideas and perspectives, and take pride in being in a family that is among the very best in the nation.”

The training academy was led by Lt. Robert Matos, Corrections Officers Amanda Custodio and Curtis Mateus, and instructor Craig Assad. Lt. Matos told the graduates to never settle for anything but being the best.

“You should be proud of what you accomplished,” Lt. Matos said. “Remember as you go through your career to find a goal and strive for it. Work toward it, whatever it is.”

There are open spots for the next corrections academy, which is slated to start this winter. Applications and details can be found online at www.bcso-ma.us, and questions can be emailed to Caitlin DeMelo in Human Resources at CaitlinDemelo@bcso-ma.org.