New Bedford Police Add New Member to Family Services Unit

The New Bedford Police Department welcomes Detective Dominique Sherburne as the newest member of the family services unit.

In her new position, Det. Sherburne will investigate cases of child abuse, adult sexual assault, elder abuse, disabled persons abuse and domestic violence. She is also assigned as a detective for the unit’s cases of commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Solving these cases and bringing justice to victims is very rewarding, Det. Sherburne said.

“In the family services unit, everything you do makes a difference,’’ she said. “Take one sex offender off the streets and you can save countless future victims.’’

Det. Sherburne is a native of Brockton and now a resident of New Bedford. She proudly served in the US Army from 2005 to 2015, including nearly a year in Iraq.

She was hired by the New Bedford Police Department in 2011. After graduating from the police academy, she worked as a patrol officer on all three shifts before becoming an investigator in the backgrounds division in January 2016.

She began working in the family services unit Feb. 19.

She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Fisher College in 2016 and plans to study for her master’s degree in the near future.

She said that the family services unit brings out the best in her. “I have a passion for this,’’ she said. “I’m at my best when I do these kinds of cases. People are willing to open up to me and share their stories.’’

She also appreciates the chance to work with a team of talented, dedicated professionals who she credits with serving as mentors, providing invaluable guidance.

The team members are “a well-rounded group of people,’’ she said. “They have a multitude of different experiences and skill sets. They’re very knowledgeable and I’m eager to learn from them.’’

Det. Sgt. Pamela Melo, who supervises the family services unit, described Det. Sherburne as a welcome addition to the Family Services Unit who complements the current team well.

“Due to the sheer volume of cases the unit investigates on a weekly basis Det. Sherburne has had to hit the ground running and hasn’t disappointed. She’s already located an at-risk teen, filed charges on one case and made two arrests.’’

Chief Joseph Cordeiro also praised Det. Sherburne’s skills and work ethic.

"Dominique has demonstrated from her first days on the job her enthusiasm for police work and working with children. Her work ethic is admirable as is her compassion for the people she services. I am elated that she is utilizing her investigative skills in our Family Services Unit. If history is our barometer we can expect great things from her.’’

--New Bedford Police