Middlesex Sheriff Addresses Leadership MetroWest Alumni Breakfast

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian was the keynote speaker at Leadership MetroWest Academy alumni breakfast in Natick this past week.

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian was the keynote speaker at Leadership MetroWest Academy alumni breakfast in Natick this past week, according to a press release from the Middlesex County Sheriff's office. “I was honored to be invited to speak with such a diverse group of business, civic and non-profit leaders committed to making the region a better place to live and work,” said Koutoujian, who talked to the alumni about his leadership philosophy, his time in the state legislature and his experiences as Sheriff. Leadership MetroWest, based in Framingham, is a 27-year-old, non-profit, community leadership development organization with more than 600 alumni throughout the MetroWest region.

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Framingham Police Chief, Middlesex Sheriff Want Stronger Gun Safety Measures

As the U.S. Senate begins to debate tougher gun safety measures, earlier this week Framingham Police Chief Steven Carl and Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian traveled to Washington D.C. to lend their support.

As the U.S. Senate begins to debate tougher gun safety measures, earlier this week Framingham Police Chief Steven Carl and Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian traveled to Washington D.C. to lend their support. The Sheriff, Chief Carl, along with the Natick Police Chief, listened to the Vice President share his thoughts on the issue during the trip. They also has the opportunity to discuss the proposals with law enforcement executives from around the country.  Koutoujian said it was important "to stand alongside Vice President (Joseph) Biden and Attorney General Holder on what is one of the most important issues of the day, and one that impacts the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office greatly." Carl said it was important to make the trip to the…

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You Ask, Patch Answers

What Does the Middlesex Sheriff's Office Do?

Sheriff Peter Koutoujian hopes to answer that question during an inaugural Citizens Academy.

When people talk about the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, it's often with a vague idea of what Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and the rest of the department do. But Koutoujian hopes to change that with his new Citizens Academy, which begins April 10. As a Waltham resident, Koutoujian said he saw how well people responded to the town’s Citizen’s Academy and thought that he could bring the same concept to the Sheriff's Office. Koutoujian has been in office for more than two years, but he acknowledged most people don’t know the ins and outs of the sheriff's department and how they differ from local and state police departments. “I had been a prosecutor for four years then I worked in the court doing some defense work after that. Until I became …

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Middlesex Sheriff Inaugurated; Details Improvement Plans

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian was inaugurated at Bentley University.

Before he detailed plans to improve his agency, Peter J. Koutoujian was sworn into his first elected term as Middlesex County Sheriff on Wednesday, Feb. 13.  In front of a large audience of family, colleagues and friends, Koutoujian, a life-long Waltham resident and former state representative for the city, took the oath of office during a 4 p.m. ceremony at the LaCava Center at Bentley University. Koutoujian was elected to the post in November 2012 to fill the remaining four years of a six-year term. Gov. Deval Patrick appointed Koutoujian in late 2010 after former sheriff James DiPaola took his own life.  Koutoujian, in a 25-minute speech, said he plans to boost correction officer wellness and hire more academy-trained officers. He said …

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Middlesex Sheriff Makes Donation to Domestic Violence Shelter

Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian sends clam chowder from Legal Seafoods to Waltham domestic violence shelter.

The following information was submitted by the Middlesex Sheriff's Office: Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian visited the office of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence Tuesday, Jan. 29 to present the organization with a donation of New England Clam Chowder from Legal Sea Foods. The clam chowder will go to victims of domestic violence staying in REACH’s emergency shelter. The donation was sparked by a friendly wager between Sheriff Koutoujian and Baltimore City Sheriff John W. Anderson on the outcome of the NFL’s AFC Championship Game between the Patriots and Ravens, with the proceeds going to a local domestic violence organization of the winner’s choosing. Sheriff Anderson on Friday passed on his winnings – New England Clam Chowder from …

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Sheriffs Make Friendly Wager on Patriots-Ravens AFC Championship Game

Sheriffs plan to make donations to local shelters.

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian and Baltimore City Sheriff John W. Anderson spoke by phone Friday and agreed to a friendly wager on the outcome of tonight's Patriots-Ravens AFC Championship game. “It was great to speak with Sheriff Anderson today. I always enjoy having the opportunity to talk with my colleagues from other parts of the country,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “He was clearly optimistic the Ravens will win Sunday, but I’ll take Tom Brady and Bill Belichick any day - especially this Sunday.” Should the Patriots win, Sheriff Anderson has pledged to send Maryland Crab Soup from Bo Brooks Restaurant to Middlesex County, while if the Ravens win Sheriff Koutoujian has committed to send New England Clam Chowder from Legal Sea Foods…

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Middlesex Sheriff Responds to Inquiries On Political Future

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian issued a statement on Jan. 11 in response to inquiries on whether he would run for the Middlesex DA's seat.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is not ruling out a run to become the next Middlesex County District Attorney. Koutoujian, in a statement in response to inquires on whether he would run to fill the seat Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone plans to vacate, said "never say never." “I love my job as Sheriff of Middlesex County and am focused on the work before me. One of my guiding principles has always been to never say never to any opportunity in which I can provide benefit to the people I serve. But today, I’d just like to congratulate Gerry on what must have been a difficult decision and thank him for his service to Middlesex County," Koutoujian said in a statement.  Koutoujian, a Waltham resident, was appointed to …

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Sheriff Koutoujian Hopes Conference Can Shine Light On Corrections Officer Mental Health Issues

The conference, held in Lowell on Monday, was the first step in an effort by local and national law enforcement officials to combat premature deaths from mental health issues by corrections officers throughout the country.

Hundreds of law enforcement officials came to Lowell on Monday as part of a first effort to help address mental and occupational health issues faced by corrections officers across the country. Spearheaded by Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and the National Sheriffs’ Association, hopes were high that the information exchanged during the gathering can help build greater awareness on a profession that sees 39 percent more suicides than any other job in the United States. “For almost two years, today has been a dream of mine,” said Koutoujian, who worked on suicide prevention legislation while chairing Massachusetts House of Representatives’ Committee on Healthcare from 2003 to 2005. “Now we can begin a national discussion that needs…

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Middlesex Sheriff Looking To Bolster Correction Officer Support

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is organizing efforts to improve support programs for corrections officers.

Corrections officers face many dangers in their work environment, but none may be more serious than the stresses they endure from years of working in such an extreme setting.  To improve the health and wellness of corrections officers nationwide, the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, which has an office in Framingham, is launching a campaign to better support officers who feel the heavy burden of their jobs.  One part of the effort will be a conference to share ways to assist corrections officers facing mental or physical job-related stresses, according to the Sheriff's Office. The conference will host experts from across the country to discuss the causes and consequences stemming from a prison work environment. The Sheriff's office, in …

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Justice Dept. Awards Middlesex County Sheriff's Office $227,800 Grant

The grant funds will be used to assist with the enhancement of training and programs available to staff and offenders to assist in compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act signed into law by President George W. Bush.

The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office $227,800 from a grant program designed to prevent sexual assaults in correctional institutes and detention facilities, Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian and U.S. Senator John Kerry announced Wednesday. “I am grateful the DOJ recognized the work we are doing in this area and are helping us maintain our zero-tolerance approach to this type of activity,” said Sheriff Koutoujian in a press release. “The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office has the responsibility for the care, custody and control of every inmate sent to us by the court and has a duty to ensure their safety within our walls. This grant will help us continue do that.” “This is an investment in prevention so we don't see …

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