The Supreme Court told us years ago that split-second decisions regarding uses of force must not be second guessed in the calmness of the judge’s chambers – so much for that. Second guessing based on compressed and often flawed video has become the new normal. Add to that this recent Appeals Court case and it is more than apparent why stress levels of police officers are on the rise.
Here, a 911 call reported a threat to kill a ...
Continue Reading →After an exhaustive investigation by the NEPBA and Chelmsford Police Superior Officer’s Union, the DLR found probable cause that the town violated a multitude of labor laws, including unlawful cooperation with a JLMC panel member during confidential arbitration deliberations. The DLR also charged the town with making misrepresentations to the elected Town Meeting reps. when presenting the JLMC award.
The union’s investigation consisted of in-depth public records requests that produced indisputable evidence supporting its complaints, including email correspondence between the ...
Continue Reading →Civil Service chiefs these days are pushing for independent assessment centers to replace the traditional civil service promotion test. They claim that the independent, in-depth panels produce the very best candidates for promotion. The City of Methuen employs about 100 sworn firefighters, only 3 of whom are women. No female firefighter is currently above the rank of private. No female has ever served as a Captain in the city’s history.
Tracy Blanchette is a 25 year veteran ...
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