Swampscott owes Officer Brian Wilson approximately $30,000 in back pay for his work with a comfort dog, under a 2022 agreement between the school department and the town.

At a June 18 Select Board meeting, Police Chief Ruben Quesada said the schools had agreed to fund the cost of a comfort dog under a 2022 agreement with then-Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald, Superintendent Pamela Angelakas and himself. Sora the comfort dog joined the police forces with Wilson in October of 2022. 

“Sora was $5,000 in addition to the training that she has received,” Quesada said. “It came to our attention that we should be compensating Officer Wilson based on FLSA and Department of Labor standards that an individual that is assigned to a K-9 or comfort dog…shall receive an additional 3.5 hours of compensation per week.”

Wilson has agreed to accept half of the back pay “in lieu of having the ability to keep Sora and the benefits that she brings to our community,” Quesada said. The school department will cover the costs of the settlement. Money is not coming from the town’s side of the budget.

Quesada noted that it was not Wilson who raised the pay discrepancy.

The Select Board approved the contract.

The Swampscott Police Department introduced Sora as the town’s comfort and therapy dog in 2022. She accompanies Wilson in his work at the town’s public school as well as at police and community events.

“She is part of every fabric of the school, of the community,” Quesada said. “She has elevated our status as a police department.”

Select Board Chair Katie Phelan noted that Wilson and Sora are “very donating with their time.” There have been multiple occasions where the two have offered a ride to school or other prizes as part of parent-teacher organization (PTO) raffles.

“It’s the highlight of the raffle to be honest. It always draws the most funds,” Phelan said. “The positive experience of children with law enforcement in Swampscott is vital to the community, and Sora plays a major role in that.”

Select Board Member Danielle Leonard joked that if “Sora ran for Select Board she probably would win hands down.”

“Every child in this district probably knows Sora firsthand,” Leonard said. “That’s a testament to Officer Wilson because he has made sure that every child is comfortable and acclimated, even children that are afraid of animals.”

Sora, a black lab, has certifications in search and rescue and evidence recovery. She was awarded a Healthcare for K9 Heroes insurance grant from Vested Interest in K9s to help offset veterinary costs for 2024. K9 Strong donated in December a specialized first aid kit to help Sora in any medical needs she may be assisting in throughout town.

Wilson and Sora join many of the crisis calls the Swampscott Police Department receives each year.

“I’ve seen Officer Wilson bring out Sora to an individual…A lot of our children have been having this mental crisis and need assistance,” Quesada said. “She has been there. She has been a life saver.”

Quesada added that neighboring town’s chiefs ask for Sora to visit “after a significant event” as well.

Sora and Wilson are part of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLC), which means that the required 10% of workforce hours Swampscott is required to provide to the regional group is covered by the dog.

“That’s why we get our return on investment for having Sora,” Quesada said. 

Quesada said that the situation arose out of simply being unaware of the situation. There are now more comfort dogs in the North Shore area, and Quesada noted that this has brought up an appreciation of the extra work the officers are putting in. 

Going forward, Quesada said there is “no additional cost involved.” Wilson’s schedule has been adjusted to meet the needs of the 3.5 hour work per week.

“It’s just in fairness to their union members and Officer Wilson,” Quesada said.