The Belchertown Police Department embraced the Community Policing philosophy in 1994 and began to slowly implement it into everyday policing. With Belchertown being the second largest town, area wise, in Western Massachusetts, and the majority of its 13,000 resident population residing in the rural areas of this town, this initially created a problem. The department found a way around this by encouraging the organization of neighborhood community and neighborhood watch groups, and then assigning an officer to that group to help solve any problems they may have. This was also accomplished through the implementation of round table discussions with towns people and placing a full-time DARE. Officer in both the elementary and high schools. All of the department's officers have attended community policing schools and are fully supportive of this new philosophy.

In 1998, the department introduced, through special grants, new projects to community policing. These were the RAD program, and the Citizen Police Academy. The academy allows residents to become familiar with police policies and procedures, including firearms training and a ride-along program.

The Police Department, in co-operation with the Town's Recreation Department, conducts both Adult RAD and RADKids Programs. As with the Neighborhood Watch program, these are considered essential to the town's Community Policing philosophy.

Also, the Neighborhood Watch and the T.R.I.A.D. programs are essential to the town's Community Policing philosophy.

Sgt. W. Panto and Sgt. K. Pacunas are the Community Police Program Officers.