Watertown Police Chief Saddened, but not Shocked by Arrest of Former Officer

When news Monday night that a former Watertown police officer had been arrested in relation to a Federal drug investigation, Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau said he was saddened, but not necessarily surprised.

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Deveau stressed that and was no longer working for Watertown Police when the alleged incidents occurred.

Still, he said he was disappointed when he heard the news.

“We are very saddened to see this happen,” Deveau said. “The men and women of the Watertown Police Department work very hard to establish the good reputation they have in the community. One person’s action reflects on them all.”

Deveau met with his officers Tuesday to discuss Velasquez-Johnson’s arrest.

“We told them we don’t tolerate a bad police officers,” Deveau said.

Velasquez-Johnson had a checkered record during his 13 years on the Watertown Police Department, Deveau said, so he said he was not completely taken by surprise by his arrest.

“It was a major disappointment, but I wouldn’t say I was shocked,” Deveau said. “We had many complaints about him and his behavior in the public.”

Watertown Police only had a minor role in the federal case, Deveau said, assisting at the end. Federal agents arrested 18 suspects, and . Other suspects from Watertown include Karapet Dzhanikyan, 31, Vartan A. Soukiasian, 35, and Victor Loukas, 43.

Deveau was happy to see that the drug ring centered in town was busted.

“The bottom line is three or four people from Watertown were involve in a serious drug organization which used violence to extort people,” Deveau said. “I am extremely pleased they were brought to justice.”