By Tiffany Williams –
On Thursday, the Worcester Police Department added three new officers to their ranks, marking an exciting development for the community. The newly sworn-in officers are Abdullah Waleed, Monicka Jean-Baptiste, and Neyffi Sanchez. all three bring valuable experience from their previous positions in law enforcement.
Officer Monicka Jean-Baptiste joins the Worcester Police Department as a lateral transfer from the Acton Police Department, where she served since May 2024. A graduate of Assumption University, Jean-Baptiste earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Science, and During her tenure in Acton, she attended the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training (CIT).
She received the prestigious CIT Nobility Award at the 4th Annual “Beyond CIT” event, which is coordinated by the Metro Boston Crisis Intervention Team Training and Technical Assistance Center.
With the Acton Police Department, Monicka, the Department said, “Demonstrated exemplary compassion and professionalism, particularly in her interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises.”
Acton Police also praised her dedication to using de-escalation techniques and her commitment to supporting those in need, significantly impacting the Acton community.
Before her time in Acton, Officer Jean-Baptiste started as a reserve police officer with the Shirley Police Department in March 2020, and then became a full-time officer there in November of the same year.
Her career began with the Framingham State University Police Department and included a seasonal role with the Provincetown Police Department.
Officer Jean-Baptiste is particularly familiar with Worcester, having moved to the city 18 years ago. She is an alumna of Burncoat High School, furthering her connection to the local community.
Lt. Alfreda Cromwell of the Shirley Police Department pinned Police Officer Jean-Baptiste’s new WPD badge.
Officer Neyffi Sanchez, like Jean-Baptiste, is also a lateral transfer. He comes to the Worcester Police Department from the Clark University Police Department, where he dedicated a year to law enforcement. Growing up, Sanchez aspired to make a meaningful impact in his community, and he views his role as a police officer as a significant opportunity to fulfill that ambition.
Officer Abdullah Waleed has had a lifelong dream of becoming a police officer and previously served with the Clark University Police Department. Reflecting on his experiences there, he shared, “It was a great department to start with, great people to work with.” His aspirations for a larger platform in law enforcement brought him to the Worcester Police Department, where he expressed admiration for the department’s operations, stating, “I have always seen them on the roads, and I’m glad to be here.”
In addition to the three newly sworn officers, the Worcester Police Academy welcomed a new class of recruits earlier this week on Monday, designated as Class 1-25.
This class comprises 26 recruits, 23 of whom are male and three female. Notably, the recruits reflect a diverse population, including nine white individuals, six Black or African-American males, eight Hispanic individuals, and two Asian recruits. Several recruits have the added benefit of being fluent in languages that include Spanish, Vietnamese, Twi, Arabic, and Creole-Acutian, enhancing the department’s communication capabilities within the community.
About 52 miles away, at 85 Williams Ave in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, Class 65-25 reported to the Boston Police Academy on Wednesday with a total of 114 recruits, 29% of whom are women. This recruit class aligns with a commitment made by the Mayor and Police Commissioner to ensure that 30% of recruits are female, a goal known as the “30/30 Pledge.”
Class 65-25 also showcases significant diversity, with 68 recruits speaking at least one additional language, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Somali, American Sign Language, French, and Albanian. Among the recruits, 36 were born outside the United States, and eight are military veterans.
Back at the Worcester Police Department, another addition to the team was greeted with enthusiasm. An 18-month-old black Labrador retriever named Mac has officially joined the department. Mac will play a pivotal role in assisting Worcester Police Officers in locating missing persons, an essential service to the community that highlights the department’s commitment to ensuring public safety and support for families in need.