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

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Pictured with Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson and the training staff of Lt. Robert Matos and Corrections Officers Amanda Custodio and Curtis Mateus are the graduates of the 48th Bristol County Corrections Officer Academy: Mauricio Arruda, Baba Camara, Trevor Pacheco and Noah Ramalho.

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.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. SteveSouzasFupa

    September 9, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    The class of 4 isn’t a result of a COVID safe socially distant class. It’s because nobody wants to work for tyrants who don’t respect their officers. Being an LEO is hard, but working for a corrupt agency is even tougher. I left BCSO for an actual LE career. I feel for the men and women I used to work with.
    The BCSO has lost dozens of officers the past few months and are not or king with a skeleton crew. Senior officers are being mandated daily. All the officers w experience are resigning and leaving for other opportunities. The public deserves to know about the corruption and criminal activity that has been silenced in order to thwart negative publicity. Why did the department delete their Facebook page?
    Btw a K9 Officer, a recovering addict, who went to rehab twice, abused his power and illegally detained a fellow officer without evidence or PC. Hodgson let officers who were smuggling contraband resign (Cruz, Ramos) the former who violated federal PREA standards. Why has some admin had a 100% raise in less than a decade, but his officers have been neglected? It’s so bad even ICE severed ties. This admin and sheriff need to go. It is a criminal enterprise.
    Btw don’t get it twisted, the inmates run the show in Tommy’s house….

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