Bernardston Police Department, Massachusetts

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Bernardston, MA
Bernardston Police Department, Massachusetts

Welcome to the Bernardston Police Department's page. We are the primary law enforcement agency for the Town.

We are a small rural police force consisting of four full time officers; Chief, Sergeant, two Patrolmen, and several part-time officers. We are located in the northern section of Franklin County, Massachusetts and border the State of Vermont. We investigate all crimes, enforce motor vehicle violations and have the ability to respond to all types of calls. We work in coordination with the Northwest

ern District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit for larger, major crimes. We oversee our Animal Control Department with assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, who provide a shelter for unknown or loose dogs. Our major equipment includes the police cruiser fleet. We have five police cruisers; 2022 Dodge Durango PPV, 2019 Chevy Tahoe PPV, 2018 Dodge Durango SSV, 2016 Dodge Charger, and a 2014 Ford Police Utility. The full-time personnel have assigned cruisers, which makes for faster responses and extends the service life of the cruiser to 6-8 years. Other emergency equipment includes but not limited to; a Polaris 4-wheeler ATV (4x4), a Snowmobile, and a Rescue Sled. In the event we need to transport our rescue equipment throughout town or for a mutual aid response, we have a fully enclosed trailer which has the ability to house all of our equipment. Other misc specialty equipment pieces are night vision and thermal imaging. In 2007, the Town built a new public safety complex, which is where we are stationed. The safety complex also houses an office for the Emergency Management Director and the Bernardston Highway Superintendent. We are extremely grateful for such an investment from the Town residents and to all the Town Hall staff that made this happen. We recently conducted training with surrounding law enforcement agencies, including fire department personnel to incorporate a county law enforcement ATV rescue team. We also completed training to be certified ground pounders and seeking certification for land navigation. We feel this training would be invaluable due to our location and terrain.

07/26/2026

On July 24, BPD Ofc. Garvey was dispatched to locate a vehicle that was reported to have been all over the road on I-91. He was able to find the BMW on Hartwell St. The BMW did not initially stop once Ofc. Garvey engaged his blue lights.

After looping around to Rt5 and then back to Church St. the car finally stopped. The operator was observed to be reaching frantically around the car. During the ensuing investigation, the operator, a 38 year old CT woman, began showing signs of heavy drug intoxication. She was subsequently taken by ambulance to the hospital.

A search of the BMW resulted in a significant amount of suspected narcotics and paraphernalia being located.

The operator was charged with:
1) OUI Drugs
2) Suspended license
3) Negligent Operation of a MV
4) Possession w/Intent Class A (Fentanyl)
5) Possession Class A (Methadone)
6) Possession Class B (Crack Co***ne)
7) Possession w/Intent Class C (Xanax)

We’ve added some info. We try to keep minimal. To inquire more, please email the chief at police@townofbernardston.org

07/20/2026

We’ve added some info. We try to keep minimal. To inquire more, please email the chief at [email protected]

07/09/2026

Today Ofc. Zukowski got to re-home this handsome gentleman who had taken up residence in a family's cabinet. This is a Milksnake and they are fairly common. Because of their color they are some times mistaken for a copperhead. Milksnakes however are non-venomous but, like most animals, will bite if you mess with it. Please feel free to call us or the Franklin County Animal Control officers to assist if any of these guys try to become new roommates with you.

06/26/2026

ATTN: Parmenter Rd will be closed between rt 10 and Crumpin Fox for an extended period of time. At approximately 1235 to 1240 a white tractor trailer with blue lettering struck a pole and the lines, snapping a pole and taking down several spans of power and cable. The truck left the scene and heades towards Bald Mtn Rd. It should have significant damage to the box. If anyone as seen this truck please contact BPD.

06/18/2026

ATTN: Huckle Hill Rd is currently closed due to tree branches down, poles snapped and wires down. The closure is from Purple Meadow to Chapin. Please seek alternate routes

06/10/2026

On June 9, Ofc. Zukowski was able to locate the missing individual from Ludlow operating a motor vehicle on route 10. We can report that he is safe and in good physical health. We would like to thank Northfield PD Det. Weaver and Ofc. Garvey for their assistance. Ludlow PD was notified and that party is no longer considered missing.

06/04/2026

On June 3 at approximately 830pm, BPD Ofc. Zukowski responded to a motorcycle crash on routes 5 and 10. The adult male operator and a 13 year old juvenile were transported to Baystate Franklin Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Prior to the crash, the operator and juvenile were observed by an off duty fire fighter to be driving up on the sidewalk and hopping the curbs down South st. The motorcycle went to Townline Creemee and as he left, the crash occurred.
The license plate on the motorcycle was found to be stolen.
After an investigation, the operator is being charged with the following:
1) OUI 2nd offense
2) Reckless Endangerment of a Child while OUI
3) Reckless Operation of a MV
4) Negligent Operation of a MV
5) Unregistered MV
6) Uninsured MV
7) Fail Use Care When exiting Driveway
8) Attaching Plate to Conceal ID
9) Marked Lanes Violation
10) Unlicensed OP of a MV
11) Open Container
12) Receiving Stolen Property

We would like to thank Bernardston Fire, Northfield EMS, Byrnes Towing and NPD Ofc. Waldron for their assistance.

05/22/2026

On May 21 BPD Ofc. Zukowski conducted a car stop on a Toyota Rav4 due to its registration being expired for over 5 years. The occupants were on their way to the Strange Creek music festival in Greenfield. After his investigation, and with the assistance of BPD Sgt. Chabot, two women from CT were placed under arrest and charged with the following:

1) Trafficking Co***ne (100 to 200 grams)
2) Possession w/Intent to Distribute Class B (Molly/MDMA)
3) Possession w/Intent to Distribute Class B (L*D)
4) Possession w/Intent to Distribute Class C (Psilocybin Mushrooms)
5) Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws

The operator was also given a citation for her unregistered vehicle. Bail was set at $10,000.00 each and they were subsequently transported to the Franklin County House of Corrections.

We would like to thank Greenfield PD for sending a female officer to conduct a search of the two women and to Koch's Towing for removing the vehicle.

05/06/2026

UPDATE…Greenfield Road back open

UPDATE…operator has been extricated. No known life threatening injuries. Road still closed until further notice. Thank you

*** Attention Leyden Residents ***

TRAFFIC ALERT

A section of Greenfield Road will be temporarily closed. A detour down South County Road, until later this evening, is set up. This is due to a rollover accident investigation.

Please drive South County Road slow and safely. The roadway is dirt and narrow. You’ll be sharing with all traffic.

Thank you,
Bernardston Police

04/09/2026

ATTN: There have been several incidents reported lately of some men going door to door offering to do paving work from excess product not used on another job. This is a common scam and should be reported immediately. Anyone soliciting door to door should have a permit with the town/PD. Please call to verify ANY solicitors.

Address

256 South Street
Bernardston, MA
01337

Website

http://townofbernardston.org/

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