Fairhaven Police Chief Daniel Dorgan (FRONT RIGHT) poses for a photo with six officers who received promotions and one new officer to the department in front of town hall on 9/16/24. BACK L-R: Lt. Matthew Botelho, Lt. Kevin Swain, Capt. Scott Gordon, Sgt. Jerald Bettencourt III, Sgt. Wayne Mello Jr., Lt. Timothy Souza; FRONT L-R: Officer Cooper Howell, Chief Daniel Dorgan. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven Interim Town Clerk Elisabeth Horan swore in seven members of the Fairhaven Police Department on Monday, 9/16/24, for six promotions and one new hire.
Recently appointed police chief Daniel Dorgan said the promotions were to fill vacancies due to retirements and other promotions, including his.
Cooper Howell, 22, of Acushnet is Fairhaven’s newest officer. He graduated from the academy in Fitchburg on Friday and started working after his swearing in on Monday, immediately going to his first call.
“It was cool to see it in real time and not training in the academy,” said Officer Howell.
He said it felt good to be able to get out there.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “I spent last four years getting my degree and working toward the academy. It’s rewarding after all that time, for sure.”
Also sworn in were: Captain Scott Gordon; Lieutenants Matthew Botelho, Timothy Souza, and Kevin Swain; Sergeants Jerald Bettencourt III and Wayne Mello Jr.
Lt. Swain’s father, Clarence, was on hand for the ceremony.
“I’m proud of him,” said Mr. Swain, adding his son has been good all the time. “He’s always going out of his way to help people.”
Lt. Souza’s father, former police chief Gary Souza, was also there to watch his son get sworn in.
“I’m proud of my son,” said Mr. Souza, adding that the new chief is doing a “great job.”
Chief Dorgan said the department will now always have a lieutenant on every day of the week. They will be able to give guidance when something comes up that might be new to the younger sergeants.
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- Fairhaven Police Officer, Cooper Howell, poses with his mother Nicki Howell after being sworn in outside town hall on 9/16/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Scott Gordon is sworn in as Captain in the Fairhaven Police Department by Interim Town Clerk Elisabeth Horan in front of Town Hall on 9/16/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Clarence Swain watches as his son Kevin Swain (MIDDLE), Timothy Souza (LEFT) and Matthew Botelho (RIGHT) are sworn in as lieutenants in the Fairhaven Police Department by Interim Town Clerk Elisabeth Horan in front of Town Hall on 9/16/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Jerald Bettencourt III and Wayne Mello Jr. are sworn in as sergeants in the Fairhaven Police Department by Interim Town Clerk Elisabeth Horan in front of Town Hall on 9/16/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- A rare sighting: three Fairhaven police chiefs. L-R: Former Fairhaven police chief, Gary Souza; current chief, Daniel Dorgan; and most recent previous chief, Michael Myers, pose for the local free sheet before the swearing in ceremony for police officers/promotions at Town Hall on 9/16/24. Photo by Beth David.
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