The Brookline Police Department's summer camp launched Monday, Aug. 10, with Deputy Superintendent Russell O'Neill greeting young campers at the 350 Washington St. station for ice-breaker games and a building tour.

It was one of O'Neill's final community events in Brookline. The 20-year department veteran starts his new job as Westwood's police chief on Aug. 31, after the Westwood Select Board voted 2-1 in July to appoint him and finalized his contract on Aug. 5.

O'Neill, 44, currently leads BPD's Community Service and Training Division, the unit responsible for youth outreach and officer education. He previously commanded the department's Patrol Division. Outside policing, he serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, commanding the 101st Engineer Battalion, and deployed twice to Iraq.

In the town's November 2025 newsletter, O'Neill described the breadth of frontline police work: "We respond to everything from violent crimes in progress to a sick bird on a sidewalk. Everyday I'm amazed at how our Officers problem solve."

When O'Neill's selection was announced, Brookline Police Chief Jennifer Paster praised him in a July 22 email to Brookline.News, saying he had "earned the respect of his colleagues, our community, and our regional law enforcement partners" and would serve Westwood with the same dedication he showed in Brookline.

He starts Aug. 31. His exact last day at BPD has not been announced.

Residents with questions about the summer camp can contact BPD at [email protected] or (617) 730-2222.