Medford suspends 20 officers for accepting excess detail payments

Medford officials say that 20 of the city’s police officers have been suspended without pay, and seven more have been reprimanded, after an investigation into violations of the department’s detail policy.

“I’m dismayed and disappointed with the actions of some members of the Medford Police Department,” Medford Mayor Stephanie Burke said in a statement Thursday.

The disciplinary action comes after the city launched an investigation in June into alleged violations of the detail policy last year at a construction project in Medford. The city’s police chief, Jack Buckley, told reporters Thursday that a number of officers were paid more than they were owed, according to CBS Boston. Some officers reportedly accepted excess payments, which totaled $17,000, of up to $2,000.

Officials say the officers will be required to pay back the money by Oct. 4.

@medfordpolice Chief and Mayor say public trust shall be earned. Suspended officers will not be fired for accepting overpayment for detail work on the Cradock Bridge project in @medfordsquare. DA is not involved in timesheet controversy at this time .#wcvb pic.twitter.com/SYrz5mGDrO

— Rhondella Richardson (@wcvbrhondella) September 26, 2019

The city hired an outside investigator, retired state trooper Paul L’Italien, to conduct the probe, which was completed in August. According to the city, L’Italien received the “full cooperation” of the 45 officers investigated, who “largely” answered his questions “candidly and without reservation.”

Fifteen of the 45 officers investigated were fully exonerated and “findings could not be sustained” for three others, officials said.

In addition to the 20 suspensions — which varied in length — and seven letters of reprimand, all of the officers implicated in the investigation will be prohibited from participating in details for unspecified amounts of time.

“While I am disappointed in the findings of the investigation, I have faith in the women and men of the Medford Police Department and believe that the discipline imposed is appropriate to correct behavior,” Buckley said in a statement.

“The officers of the Medford Police Department, involved in this matter, are decent women and men who have historically served this City with distinction,” the police chief continued. “They are contrite. There is no question in my mind that each and every officer involved has served this City well and will continue to do so.”

Burke and Buckley both voiced confidence that the department could move forward and that the Medford community could place trust in its police force.

“I am committed to building trust between this department and the community,” Buckley said. “The investigation should be viewed in that light.”