Chelsea swore in four new police officers on Monday night: an Army veteran, a Fitchburg State graduate who first came to the department as an intern, a Chelsea resident born in Angola who speaks Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole, and a Bridgewater State graduate who paid his own way through the police academy. The ceremony opened a special City Council meeting at City Hall on October 5, ahead of the council’s regular meeting.
Police Chief Keith Houghton said the four began the process about a year and a half ago, through background checks and the academy, and are finishing field training. “Very shortly they’ll be out on the street on their own protecting all of you,” he said. Three trained at the academy in Randolph and one at the academy in Lynnfield. The officers were sworn in by Clerk Solis, and a family member or friend pinned on each new badge.
The four officers
- Gustavo Azevedo served in the U.S. Army from June 2021 to August 2024. “That is such a great thing to join the legacy of so many veterans,” Houghton said. His wife, Bruna Carolina, pinned his badge.
- Justin Puppo completed an internship at the Chelsea Police Department before graduating from Fitchburg State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. His parents, Marissa and Stephen, pinned his badge.
- Marcos De Brito was born and raised in Angola, moved to Everett at 17, graduated from Everett High School with honors and moved to Chelsea in 2022. Houghton said he will be one of the department’s officers fluent in Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole. Councillor Lisa Santagate said he is the older brother of one of her former students and lives in her district. His girlfriend, Ariela, pinned his badge.
- Andre Leon graduated from Bridgewater State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology. Houghton said he sponsored himself through the academy, so “he did not cost the city a penny.” His grandfather is a retired Boston police detective. Thomas McCormack pinned his badge.
Houghton thanked the families first. “They know they’re working holidays. They know they’re going to miss things, but the sacrifice is really the families,” he said.
Councillor Calvin Brown, who said he has served on the council for more than 21 years, told the officers they were probably the youngest class he had seen. Councillor Todd Taylor said, “I support the police 100%.” Councillor Leo Robinson, the council’s senior member, thanked them for their service.
A certificate for Officer Barker-Santiago, and a comfort dog
The council also gave a certificate of recognition to Officer Joseph Barker-Santiago, who could not attend when it was first voted. It cites his work keeping businesses in line with city ordinances, his appearances before the Licensing Commission, “where he has been praised for his fairness and responsiveness,” and his place on the honor guard that presented the colors at a Boston Celtics game on April 7, 2023, the first time the department was given that honor.
The department says he is the city’s only traffic officer, and Santagate said he watches over children walking to school at the elementary school complex in the mornings. Brown thanked him for helping shop and nightclub owners who need help in Spanish or English. “When does he ever sleep?” Brown said.
Vice President Norieliz DeJesus, who chaired the meeting, announced that the department is getting a comfort dog and that Barker-Santiago will handle it. The department says that will happen early next year. DeJesus said the department already has an ice cream truck and is working on a food truck.
The regular council meeting that followed is covered in our roundup.