Wynn Appointed Captain of Pittsfield Police Department

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor James M. Ruberto announced today that Michael J. Wynn has been appointed the captain in charge of the Pittsfield Police Department starting Dec. 1, 2007.

"I am looking forward to this opportunity and I think it's both an honor and a privilege to be selected to lead the men and women of the Pittsfield Police Department,” said Wynn.

Wynn received his bachelor of arts degrees in English literature and American studies from Williams College in 1993. He joined the Pittsfield Police in October 1995 and has been patrol supervisor, criminal investigator, gang intelligence officer and director of the Community Police Academy. In 2001, he received his master's in criminal justice from Anna Maria College in Paxton.

"I am certain that Captain Wynn in his new role will continue to develop positive relationships with the community as well as with the members of the Pittsfield Police Department," said outgoing Police Chief Anthony Riello.


Wynn has taking training courses with the Marine Corps and the Drug Enforcement Agency, both in Quantico, Va. While part of the West Side Neighborhood Resource Center in the mid-'90s, Wynn developed and managed the Community Policing and Community Organizing facility.

"With his commitment to the betterment of the city of Pittsfield and the dedication that he has shown over the past 12 years, appointing Captain Wynn as captain in charge was a very easy decision for me," said Ruberto. "Although we are sad to see Chief Riello move on to the Falmouth Police Department, I know that Captain Wynn will do an outstanding job leading our police force."

Wynn was born and raised in Pittsfield and graduated from Taconic High School in 1988. He has been married for seven years and has two stepchildren and two grandchildren.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive. 

On Friday evening, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle to extinguish and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Drive in about an hour. 

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.  

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children.  The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings. (iBerkshires.com does not confirm or endorse fundraisers; they are provided as information only.)

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation.  One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue. 

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 1/2-story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out. 

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories