METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS - A police sergeant has been temporarily stripped of his gun and badge and six other officers admonished for taking a dinner break and watching the New England Patriots football game at the station while on duty Friday night, leaving just two officers patrolling the city.
Police Chief Joseph Solomon refused to identify the five patrolmen, the lieutenant and the sergeant involved. He said it “was completely a dereliction of duty. It was unacceptable.”
Solomon said he happened to be driving by the station about 8:40 p.m. and saw several police cruisers parked in front of the building. He went inside the station and found the seven officers having dinner and watching the preseason game.
At the time, just two patrolmen were left patrolling the city - one was on a walking beat and the other was in a car patrolling in the Lowell Street area, Solomon said.
Solomon said he had no idea how long the officers were in the police station.
“Maybe five minutes. Maybe two hours,” he said, adding that an investigation continues.
All of the officers caught on break were ordered to write letters detailing why they were in the station and who authorized their breaks. Only the sergeant was placed on administrative leave and asked to turn in his gun and badge.
Solomon said police officers are placed on administrative leave for a variety of reasons and the sanction should have “no negative connotations.”
“It’s something that only benefits - rather than hurts - the police officer,” Solomon. He expects the sergeant will be back to work sometime next week, he added.
City Councilor Robert Andrew said he received six calls about Friday night’s incident. He wants to learn more about what happened and why the officers were punished.
“If it’s justifiable, fine. If it’s not, it’s a big problem,” Andrew said.
Solomon said he was doing his job as chief when he admonished the officers.
“Absolutely I spoke with a raised voice,” Solomon said.
Told last night about the incident, Kathleen Corey Rahme, acting chairman of the city council, was concerned she hadn’t received any phone calls on the matter.
“I haven’t been advised, and I’m a little surprised, as acting chair, I haven’t been advised,” she said. “I’m going to look into this first thing in the morning so I can fully understand what’s going on and who’s involved.”
Mayor William Manzi III said he had a “preliminary discussion” with the chief last night about “action taken in the department.” The mayor said he expected to meet with the chief today to further discuss the matter.
Gary Nolan, a Lowell attorney who represents the superior officer’s union, declined to comment for this story. Lt. Michael Wnek, president of the superior’s officers union, also declined to comment.
