The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) describes itself as "a mutual aid consortium comprised of resources from the police departments of 30 cities and towns. A law enforcement council is a collaborative partnership of police agencies in a region that share knowledge, resources and personnel ... "
Like other "Law Enforcement Councils" (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC is a non-profit corporation set up as a professional membership organization, which serves to link police forces across the region in communications, joint training exercises, collective purchases and joint actions. LECs in Massachusetts have played a central role in militarizing police forces by organizing SWAT teams and purchasing military equipment such as Lenco Bearcats and other armored vehicles. LECs have tried to assert their status as private organizations to refuse public records requests about their activities. Both the Northeast Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and the Greater Boston Police Council (GBPC) have explicitly linked the origin of LECs and their "mutual aid agreements" to the policing of anti-war protests in the 60s and 70s. NEMLEC also mentions the civil rights movement and uses coded racist language about the "disorder" arising "as people migrated from larger cities" as justification for their existence. (See separate entries on NEMLEC and GBPC)
An image from the SEMLEC website concerning its SWAT team shows a Lenco BearCat emblazoned with its name. Meeting minutes of the Southeast Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council (SRHSAC) show the SRHSAC using federal grant money for SEMLEC purchases of military equipment and training. (See separate entry on SRHSAC.)
SEMLEC has a public list of its member agencies. In 2020, its executive officers were the following: President, Chief Christopher D. Delmonte, Bridgewater Police Department; Secretary, Chief Robert A. Small, Rochester Police Department; Treasurer, Chief Carlton E. Abbott, Freetown Police Department.
33 links
The Acushnet Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Berkley Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Bridgewater Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Bridgewater State University Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Carver Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Dartmouth Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Dighton Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The East Bridgewater Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Fairhaven Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Freetown Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC).
The Halifax Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Hanson Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Kingston Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Lakeville Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Marion Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Mattapoisett Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Middleborough Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The New Bedford Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Pembroke Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Plympton Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Raynham Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Rehoboth Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Rochester Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Seekonk Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Somerset Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Southeast Regional Homeland Security Advisor Council (SRHSAC) obtains US Department of Homeland Security grants to provide military equipment and training to the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). The two organizations work together to further integrate police forces within the SEMLEC consortium and to militarize these forces for the suppression of popular uprisings and for urban warfare. SRHSAC meeting minutes in 2021 show purchases for SEMLEC, including $40,000 for cameras for "the SEMLEC Command Post vehicle."
An image from the SEMLEC website concerning its SWAT team shows a Lenco BearCat armored vehicle emblazoned with SEMLEC's name.
The Swansea Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Taunton Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Wareham Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The West Bridgewater Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Westport Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.
The Whitman Police Department is a member agency of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC). Like other Law Enforcement Councils (LECs) in Massachusetts, SEMLEC functions to increase regional collaboration between police and sheriff's departments, while organizing SWAT teams and obtaining military equipment for use by its member agencies. Set up as non-profit professional organizations, LECs have attempted to restrict public knowledge of their activities and have refused public records requests.