Medford mayor ‘fully shocked and saddened’ by actions of cop on dash cam
After two videos revealed Medford Police Detective Stephen LeBert confronting civilians, Mayor Michael McGlynn said that he was “fully shocked and saddened’’ by the officer’s actions and that there will be an investigation into the incident.
McGlynn said in a statement on Wednesday:
“After viewing the YouTube video of Detective Stephen LeBert stopping a vehicle in Medford Square on Sunday night, I was fully shocked and saddened by the Detective’s statements and his demeanor directed toward the driver of the vehicle. The words and behavior of the officer as shown on that video go far beyond the acceptable standards of behavior for a police officer.
As Mayor of the City of Medford for 28 years, I know that the vast majority of Medford police officers carry out their duties professionally and with courtesy to the public. The motto ‘to protect and serve’ reflect the daily reality of the words and deeds of the rank and file of our police force.’’
Earlier this week, the Medford police placed LeBert on administrative leave after a recent dash-cam video was posted on YouTube showing him threatening to “blow a hole through your f—ing head’’ when he pulled over a driver for a traffic violation while off duty.
Then, a 2012 video resurfaced in which LeBert tells a man filming him that he should take his brother, who he said has a drug problem, “on the railroad tracks and tell him to lay down.’’ Medford Police Chief Leo Sacco said LeBert was counseled on how to “act accordingly’’ following the 2012 incident.
Sacco has called on the Internal Affairs Division to conduct the investigation. McGlynn’s statement said that the investigation “must proceed with all deliberate speed’’ and called for the report to be “fair and complete.’’
“When I have received the Chief’s recommendations,’’ he said in the statement, “I will consider them carefully and follow up with appropriate and decisive action.’’
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