WESTBOROUGH – A new program is honoring employees within the Westborough Police Department.
The first “Employee of the Month” from the Westborough Police Foundation was recently given to Officer Rich Trainor.
According to a citation from Chief Todd Minardi and Deputy Chief Steve Tompkins, “With over 35 years of dedicated service to the Westborough community, Officer Trainor continues to impress with his hard work and positive attitude. Most recently, his efforts in drone flight training and his strong focus on traffic safety have made a significant impact.
“In addition to his own contributions, Officer Trainor is passionate about mentoring and developing our newer officers, helping to shape the future of the Westborough Police Department.”
The program was developed by Minardi as a way to boost morale and promote a positive working environment within the department.
“We’re excited to share this initiative, which is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to prioritize officer wellness and recognize the exceptional work done by our team every day,” said Tompkins.
Each month, supervisors are encouraged to nominate an officer from their shift who has demonstrated outstanding work and dedication. These nominations are then reviewed by the police administration, which selects one officer to receive the award.
Award-winners, such as Trainor, will receive a $50 gift card from the foundation.
“Chief Minardi and many other leaders in law enforcement recognize the immense responsibility placed on police officers. Our officers respond to countless calls daily, often handling ‘routine’ situations with professionalism and skill. Unfortunately, these everyday successes rarely receive the acknowledgment they deserve. However, when things go wrong or fall below expectations, those moments are immediately addressed,” said Tompkins.
The monthly program is just one of the initiatives planned at the department, he added.
“We plan to introduce more initiatives aimed at promoting officer wellness and fostering a supportive environment. This program reflects our belief that recognizing excellence isn’t just a morale booster — it’s a crucial part of maintaining a healthy, engaged, and high-performing police force,” he said.
Trainor has also been awarded the town’s Employee Excellence Award for September.
“Officer Trainor brings a consistent, positive attitude to work on a daily basis. This positive attitude can be pervasive to our group, especially among younger officers,” according to the citation. “Officer Trainor works diligently to make sure his skills and knowledge as a drone operator are up to par, routinely making test flights and caring for the equipment. Officer Trainor is also among the most active traffic safety/enforcement officers and performs well above expectations.”
