NEWBURYPORT — The Newburyport Police Department will be focusing heavily on community heading into the future with the recent announcement of the formal adoption of its new mission and vision statements.
“Our mission and vision statements reflect the heart of our organization and who we strive to be every day,” City Marshal Matthew Simons said, in a statement. “Public trust is earned through relationships, communication, professionalism, and service. Our department is comprised of servant leaders at all levels of the organization and these statements reinforce our commitment to working alongside our community to ensure Newburyport remains a safe and desirable place to live, work, and visit.”
The new statements were developed to clearly define the department’s core values, priorities, and direction for the future. The mission and vision will serve as guiding principles for departmental decision-making, officer development, community engagement efforts, and public safety initiatives, according to Simons.
They were created to mirror the department’s continued commitment to community-focused policing, organizational excellence, and collaborative public safety.
The newly adopted mission statement reads: “Building trust, strengthening relationships, and keeping Newburyport safe together.”
“Building trust and strengthening relationships is continuous, ongoing work that should be taking place daily throughout our entire organization,” Simons said in the statement. “We are extremely grateful for our partnerships in the community and recognize that keeping Newburyport safe is something we do collaboratively, together.”
The department’s newly adopted vision statement further outlines a long-term commitment to partnership, accountability, officer wellness, and proactive engagement with the community.
It reads as follows: “The Newburyport Police Department envisions a safe, connected, and resilient community grounded in trust, partnership, and open communication. We believe effective public safety is achieved through active listening, decisive engagement, and meaningful relationships between our officers and the community. Policing at the highest level requires prioritizing officer wellness and professional development to ensure our personnel are prepared, supported, and equipped to perform their duties with discipline, accountability, sound judgment, and excellence. We work collaboratively with our community partners in identifying and addressing challenges, strengthening public trust, and maintaining the safety and security of Newburyport.”
Simons said the vision statement supports and outlines how the department works towards its mission.
“It is vitally important that our officers and professional staff know that they are cared for and that their wellness is a top priority in order for them to perform at the highest level,” Simons said in the statement. “Professional development and relevant, current training is crucial to fulfilling the mission.”
Mayor Sean Reardon said that the adoption of these new statements reflects the values that have long guided the Newburyport Police Department and “the direction we want to continue moving as an organization.”
“Under Marshal Simons’ leadership, the department has placed a strong emphasis on building trust, fostering meaningful relationships, and working collaboratively with our residents, businesses, schools, and community partners,” Reardon said.
Public safety is most effective when it is rooted in communication, accountability, and mutual respect, Reardon added.
“These statements recognize that keeping Newburyport safe is a shared responsibility and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the dedicated men and women of the police department who serve our community each and every day,” Reardon said.