at Family Services of Fall River and Gosnald Thorn Substance Abuse Counseling Agency in Brockton, MA. This education, combined with the experience of helping trauma victims, strongly benefited the Massachusetts State Police and the local law enforcement agencies throughout Massachusetts and the New England region. Because of Alan’s education and experience, his unit was summoned by police agencies in neighboring New England states. In his final years before retirement, Alan spent his time with the State Police helping fellow officers, their families, and others who experienced unexpected violence and unforeseen tragedies.
A firm believer in continuing education, Alan returned to Bristol Community College. This time Alan did not return as a student but as an instructor in the Criminal Justice Program. He has taught undergraduate courses in Criminology, Criminal Investigations, and Police/Community Relations. He remains on the faculty of Bridgewater State College in their Social Work Program as an Assistant Professor. He loves to teach and share his life experiences and formal education with his students. Alan also serves on the faculty of Massasoit Community College in the Human Services program. Upon his recent retirement from the State Police, Alan was hired to teach in the Protective and Legal Services program at Southeastern Vocational Technical High School.
As is outlined above, Alan Garcia is an educator and a law enforcement advocate. However, Alan is also a resident of Dartmouth, MA and a proud father of two grown sons and four grandchildren.
A firm believer in continuing education, Alan returned to Bristol Community College. This time Alan did not return as a student but as an instructor in the Criminal Justice Program. He has taught undergraduate courses in Criminology, Criminal Investigations, and Police/Community Relations. He remains on the faculty of Bridgewater State College in their Social Work Program as an Assistant Professor. He loves to teach and share his life experiences and formal education with his students. Alan also serves on the faculty of Massasoit Community College in the Human Services program. Upon his recent retirement from the State Police, Alan was hired to teach in the Protective and Legal Services program at Southeastern Vocational Technical High School.
As is outlined above, Alan Garcia is an educator and a law enforcement advocate. However, Alan is also a resident of Dartmouth, MA and a proud father of two grown sons and four grandchildren.
PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT ALAN GARCIA
Join Alan On:
Committee to Elect Alan Garcia for Sheriff - P.O. Box 80247 - South Dartmouth, MA 02748
Phone: 508-994-2782
Phone: 508-994-2782
Alan Garcia was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. With his parents and ten siblings, he later moved to Dartmouth. Alan graduated from Dartmouth High School in 1977. After graduation, he joined the Army National Guard and became a proud graduate of a rigorous program in the Military Police Academy at Fort McClellan in Alabama. Returning home to MA, Alan served with the 747 Military Police Company in Bourne.
At an early age, Alan learned the definition of hard work, values, ethics, and persistence. He can never re-pay his parents for the valuable lessons they taught him. These lessons are what shaped Alan to be a man who is passionate about helping and serving others.
At an early age, Alan learned the definition of hard work, values, ethics, and persistence. He can never re-pay his parents for the valuable lessons they taught him. These lessons are what shaped Alan to be a man who is passionate about helping and serving others.
Alan is also passionate about education. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Bristol Community College (BCC) while working full-time to support his family. Aspiring for higher education, Alan later returned to school and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice at Southeastern Massachusetts University, now the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. While studying at BCC, Alan also completed the Massachusetts Department of Corrections Training Academy. He became a Correctional Officer assigned to the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Norfolk. He later transferred to the Southeastern Correction Center located in Bridgewater. As a Correctional Officer, Alan was responsible for the care, custody, and control of State Prison inmates.
In 1982, Alan left the Massachusetts Department of Corrections to pursue a career with the Massachusetts State Police. It was the beginning of what he would later realize to be a rewarding career. When he graduated from the State Police Academy, Alan was assigned to troop D headquarters. He was responsible for the area of Middleboro to Boston. Alan’s dedication to the safety of the citizens of Massachusetts came natural to him, but it did not go unnoticed. On February 28, 1993, Alan was recognized by the New Bedford Standard Times for saving the life of a young woman who was trapped in her burning car after it crashed. Alan claims that he was “just doing his job”. However, to those who know and love the victim, Alan was doing much more.
Later, Alan was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, serving as a Patrol Supervisor and Shift Commander in the Dartmouth and Bourne barracks. The Massachusetts State Police chose him as one of the first officers assigned to the Community Service Unit. This Unit was created for the purpose of fostering positive relationships with local police departments and citizens’ groups throughout Massachusetts.
Later, Alan was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, serving as a Patrol Supervisor and Shift Commander in the Dartmouth and Bourne barracks. The Massachusetts State Police chose him as one of the first officers assigned to the Community Service Unit. This Unit was created for the purpose of fostering positive relationships with local police departments and citizens’ groups throughout Massachusetts.
Two of Alan’s primary responsibilities were (1) to collaborate with law enforcement agencies throughout Massachusetts in an effort to reduce crime and (2) to educate the public on ways to reduce their vulnerability to criminal victimization. During Alan’s tenure with the Community Service Unit, he was appointed to serve as a member on the Board of Directors for the MA Crime Prevention Officers Association located in Boston.
As a Sergeant, Alan was placed in charge of overseeing the community service initiatives in troops D, H, and E. He was responsible for overseeing the DARE and Domestic Violence Units. Alan was also credited with creating the Massachusetts State Police Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program which has been implemented in numerous public schools. He also created safety programs regarding workplace violence, senior citizen safety, and violence prevention.
In 1997, Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci noticed Alan’s accomplishments and appointed him to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Responsible Fatherhood and Family Support Task Force on Mentoring. Governor Cellucci was the Chairman of this Commission. Shortly thereafter, Alan was assigned to assist the command staff in the Division of Investigative Services and was responsible for assisting the gang unit in implementing strategies conducive to preventing and eliminating gang activities throughout the Boston and Worcester vicinities.
In 1997, Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci noticed Alan’s accomplishments and appointed him to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Responsible Fatherhood and Family Support Task Force on Mentoring. Governor Cellucci was the Chairman of this Commission. Shortly thereafter, Alan was assigned to assist the command staff in the Division of Investigative Services and was responsible for assisting the gang unit in implementing strategies conducive to preventing and eliminating gang activities throughout the Boston and Worcester vicinities.
In 2001, Alan accomplished another personal goal. He was a graduate of Northeastern University, where he received his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a focus on Criminology. He did this while he was a full-time single father to a teenage son.
Alan then returned to the uniform branch of the State Police and was assigned to the Bourne barracks as a mid-shift commander. Here, he was presented with the Minority Police Officers award of merit for being instrumental in the investigation and subsequent prosecution of a criminal, who had performed unimaginable acts on a young female from the South Shore.
Alan then returned to the uniform branch of the State Police and was assigned to the Bourne barracks as a mid-shift commander. Here, he was presented with the Minority Police Officers award of merit for being instrumental in the investigation and subsequent prosecution of a criminal, who had performed unimaginable acts on a young female from the South Shore.
Alan was then assigned to an elite, trustworthy, unit responsible for all narcotics confiscated by the State Police and secured at State Police facilities. Alan was assigned to the State Police Narcotics Inspection Unit.
Nearing the end of his career, Alan felt the need to give back to the victims of tragedy and to his fellow officers who witnessed horrific acts of violence. Alan wanted to do something to minimize the trauma endured by victims of crime. This desire to help dates back to his time at Fort McClellan. He was at a training mission with the Military Police Unit when tragedy struck. A five ton military vehicle lost control and rolled over killing some of his close friends. Alan vowed to one day professionally comfort those who were victims of such pain.
Nearing the end of his career, Alan felt the need to give back to the victims of tragedy and to his fellow officers who witnessed horrific acts of violence. Alan wanted to do something to minimize the trauma endured by victims of crime. This desire to help dates back to his time at Fort McClellan. He was at a training mission with the Military Police Unit when tragedy struck. A five ton military vehicle lost control and rolled over killing some of his close friends. Alan vowed to one day professionally comfort those who were victims of such pain.
In September of 2001, Alan joined the State Police Employee Assistance Unit. Here, Alan could help police officers and their families when they experienced trauma from violent acts. He comforted and counseled the grieving and was on-call 24 hours a day. This new undertaking led Alan back to school once again in an effort to develop formal expertise in grief counseling. He enrolled in the Grief Facilitation Certificate Program at BCC and was awarded the Warring-Sullivan Award for Academic Excellence in Thanatology.
In 2006, Alan earned a Master’s degree in social work from Salem State College. As part of this program, he was asked to participate in internships. He interned
In 2006, Alan earned a Master’s degree in social work from Salem State College. As part of this program, he was asked to participate in internships. He interned
