Marblehead police officer resigns after allegedly scratching swastika into another officer’s car
"Ultimately, no amount of training can counteract willful intolerance."
A Marblehead police officer has resigned after he allegedly scratched a swastika into another officer’s car, authorities said Wednesday.
Chief Robert Picariello said he learned about Officer Timothy Tufts allegedly carving the anti-Semitic hate symbol in mid-November. Tufts joined the department in March 2016.
“I am dismayed and deeply disturbed by this incident,” Picariello said in a statement. “Today, there is no room for excuses of ignorance. The swastika is a symbol of hate and genocide, and we must speak up against acts of hate and hate speech whenever and wherever we encounter it.”
The chief said he has contacted the Anti-Defamation League of New England and will use the organization’s training programs and resources for the entire department. Picariello also said that he will commission an independent administrative review with an outside investigator.
“I apologize to our community for this deeply disturbing and unfortunate situation, and I vow to do everything and engage every resource available to ensure that this kind of incident does not repeat itself in the future,” he said.
The Marblehead Board of Selectmen also published a statement denouncing the incident.
“Ultimately, no amount of training can counteract willful intolerance, and we are glad to know that the person responsible for this incident has resigned from the department,” the statement said.
Neither statement identified the other police officer or the nature of the incident.
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