holyoke police corruption

and affiliate links. HOLYOKE, Mass. Roca also told the newspaper he plans to file a lawsuit over how he was treated. MASSACHUSETTS-In early March, two police sergeants were suspended without pay for speaking with a reporter about mismanagement, corruption and racism within the Holyoke Police Department, and for providing him with internal documents. Roca said in his report that the driver attempted to back into a state trooper, at which point he fired his gun three times at the driver. NEPM also contacted all of the police officers mentioned in this story via email or phone. will soon post complaints against police officers online. In this still from a video Roca posted to YouTube on March 7, 2021, Roca alleges there is corruption and racism in the Holyoke Police Department. Febo responded with a statement that noted that, of the total 29 minority officers on the force, there are roughly 75 [percent] of minority officers with [eight] years [of experience] or more who focus on specialized assignments. Of non-minority police officers with eight years or more of experience, 53 percent focus on specialized assignments, according to Febo. In 2016, Irving Concepcion says the Holyoke police pulled him over with their guns drawn, yanked him out of his car and slammed him down on the hood. After Customers Paid Large Deposits for Home Projects, Contractor Files for Bankruptcy, How Much Snow Has Fallen in Your Area So Far, The House Where JonBenet Ramsey Was Found Dead Is Listed for Sale at Nearly $7M, FIRST ALERT: Wintry Mix Keeps Falling as Storm Hits New England (Live Radar). But critics have described that body as toothless. Prosecutors pressed charges against him until the day he showed up for his trial, when he said they informed him they were dropping the case. In one 2013 complaint, for example, a civilian alleged they watched police officer Charles Monfett pull up next to his brother in his police cruiser and hand him a bag of pot., We also overheard how it was just recovered from someone at Jones Point, the complaint alleges. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Mayor Alex Morse said in a statement that he could not comment on a personnel matter. Holyoke Officer Rafael Roca, a former Marine hired in 2016, said in the 43-minute video posted on YouTube that Chief Manny Febo is "corrupt" and plays favorites, and he argued that members of. Neiswanger said that a tipster found the gun in an alley, and that the mayors presence was a coincidence. Its not clear and it doesnt exist. We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. When Massachusetts lawmakers passed a sweeping police reform law in late 2020, one of the bills provisions opened up law enforcement misconduct investigations to greater scrutiny under the states public records law. var currentLocation = window.location; HOLYOKE A Holyoke police officer recently released a YouTube video accusing the Holyoke Police Department of corruption. var currentheadline = document.getElementById("headline").innerText; When you speak up and when you expose corruption, thats what they do. Holyoke Police Officer Rafael Roca suspended after posting viral video alleging corruption at the department 'Because of this video I will probably be fired': Holyoke officer alleges. And in Amherst, records show that during a 12-year period, theAmherst Police Department investigated 16 civilian complaints; in only one of those cases did an officer face discipline. Iowa Police Chief arrested after selling black market military machine guns, "I'm a Cop" is a classic horror comic using real-life quotes from police departments, Transform your ideas into unique art with this CES-featured, AI art tool, now on sale for $49.99, Safely organize your devices and chargers with the CES-featured Bento Stack Charge 8000, Start your musical journey with the Populele Smart Ukulele, now only $159.99, Terms Murphy didnt have to answer to anybody. Febo said a detectives vehicle was broken into and taken from that vehicle was 2 ballistic vests with 2 magazines in the pouches, along with some K9 gear, and a first aid bag. Some, but not all, of those items were later found in a vehicle stolen from Granby that was recovered in Hartford, according to Febo. He also made the case that his statements were on matters of public concern; a Holyoke Police Department rule bars criticism of the department except on matters of public concern.. Office Location: 57 Suffolk St. Suite 200 Holyoke, MA 01040 Call Us The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Myrick was originally elected when he READ THE REST, We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. var photocredit = "'Screenshot from YouTube.' They pick and choose who they want to discipline and who they dont want to discipline.. (AP) - A Massachusetts police officer who posted a video online alleging corruption within his department says he has been placed on paid administrative leave after refusing to take . sites. Roca said he also plans to file a lawsuit over his treatment. Not to stop anyone., Terrill said the best practice is to allow civilians to file complaints against officers in multiple venues in-person oronline, like the POST Commission now allows on its website and to be able to do so anonymously. The five-year Holyoke Police officer who posted the video, Rafael Roca, explained in the beginning, that he wanted to expose the corruption and the lies and the injustice he felt was taking place within the department. Based on the report, Police Chief David Pratt suspended Roca for five days and recommended that the citys mayor terminate him. But that work hasnt fully gotten off the ground yet. March 9, 2021. In the video, Roca also alleged that department leadership has covered up the facts surrounding several instances when weapons have gone missing from the department. In August, the city of Holyoke hired a firm to audit its police department, including its internal affairs processes. A handful of other officers were "spoken to" or "cautioned" by their superiors for other offenses, but the records show no evidence that the officers were disciplined for those violations of department rules. When told of NEPMs findings that only three officers had civilian complaints sustained against them over a decade, Valentin said shes not surprised. He said that Febo and others have stepped in to prevent him from getting jobs with other police departments. But he said other studies have found that civilian review boards have a minimal effect on accountability. Rafael Roca, 37, uploaded the now viral video early Sunday morning. Another was accused of sexual assault while he was off duty. var photocredit = "'SCREENSHOT/YOUTUBE' 'Holyoke police officer Rafael Roca. Read about what we do with the data we gather in our Privacy Policy. The police, for me, was used as a reminder to stay in my place. Ill probably lose my job, but Im good. The benefits of learning to play READ THE REST. Last week, Holyokes acting mayor fired Rafael Roca, a police officer who posted a video to YouTube making allegations of corruption and racism within the Holyoke Police Department, Daily Hampshire Gazette reported. The so-called Lexow Committee revealed to the city and nation in unprecedented detail. You can try, records from the Northampton Police Department, Amherst Police Department investigated 16 civilian complaints, Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, Holyoke police officer publicly alleged corruption, some characterized as excessive overtime, online, like the POST Commission now allows on its website, blocked from reviewing the police department's internal report. In his own time, he said that he witnessed classmates incarcerated as part of the school-to-prison pipeline.. They took my gun and my badge and kicked me out of the email system," Roca said on Monday,according to MassLive. I already knew they were going to wait until the last minute, he told the newspaper. Notes. Holyoke Police Department | Holyoke MA To tackle these questions,"I'm a Cop"directly examines the words of READ THE REST, The Boston Globe recently printed an op-ed by former Ithaca, NY mayor Svante Myrick, who talks about his own city's approach to police reform. This followed years of battles between the mayor and City Council over control of the department and the effectiveness of a previous advisory panel, the Civilian Community Police Hearing Board. Yeah, they didnt waste any time. They took my gun and my badge and kicked me out of the email system, Roca said during an interview at the time. It's that point in the year READ THE REST, We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Roca has NEVER provided any credible information or documentation to substantiate his claims to the HPD, his union, the FBI, Attorney General or any other investigators that I am aware of, Pratt wrote, adding that Roca was given due process. Ill probably lose my job, but Im good. The Gazettes coverage of the incident notes that officers attempted to subdue Guyette with a stun gun as he rammed into cars attempting to escape. He went on to say that he felt as though he would either be fired or suspended for posting the 45-minute long video. This story has been updated to include a statement from Chief Manny Febo which he sent to the Gazette midday on Tuesday. HOLYOKE Mayor Joshua Garcia announced this week that the city has hired a firm to conduct an audit of the Holyoke Police Department. Joshua Garcia was sworn in as Holyokes 45th mayor on Monday. 'Officer shuffle': Some ousted cops find jobs at new departments in Mass. Roca also said he wasnt surprised he was fired, but expressed disappointment that no city, state or federal officials fully investigated his allegations, according to the Gazette. Coughlin has been living large on his State Police pension of $131,961 a year. Daily Hampshire Gazette Contests & Promotions, Daily Hampshire Gazette Evening Top Reads, Daily Hampshire Gazette Weekly Top Stories, Daily Hampshire Gazette Dining & Entertainment, Support the The 69 complaints that NEPM obtained are just the ones that civilians managed to file with the HPD in the first place. Holyoke Officer Rafael Roca, a former Marine hired in 2016, said in the 43-minute video posted on YouTube that Chief Manny Febo is corrupt and plays favorites, and he argued that members of minority groups are passed over for plum assignments and that discipline is handed out selectively. The Appellant left the Holyoke Police Station at approximately 11:00 p.m. and proceeded to the detail in his personal vehicle by means of Southampton Road. var tag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkRocaHolyokeFiring-hg-111721,ph2'); On March 7, Holyoke police officer Rafael Roca posted a video on YouTube alleging racism and corruption by the Holyoke Police Department. We dont have that today.. The handwritten log, which tracks civilian and internal complaints against officers and their conclusions, features two entries for Roca. HOLYOKE, Mass. I talked with two police chiefs in Minnesota about what happened when Tyre Nichols was stopped by Memphis police officers and fatally beaten last month. Rocas video has reached over 50,000 views. Moriarty, the president of the HPDs supervisors union, said at a press conference held specifically to address Maldonado Velezs comments. "whether the employee has been guilty of substantial misconduct which adversely affects the public interest by impairing the efficiency of public service." School Comm. According to the commissions decision, it had been Rocas first solo patrol in October 2016 when he pulled over a driver who had been driving down the street in the opposite direction. Advocates call for more police oversight after WBUR investigation, Mass. That is roughly 53 percent of non-minority officers with eight years or more who are assigned to specialized assignments., Additional he said there were 38 officers total with six years or less of full-time experience, Of those 38, 17 are minority officers. In 2018, a man alleged that school resource officer Melvis Romero abused his authority when he threw the mans son to the ground during the school day and arrested him, injuring his neck and shoulders in the process. Instead of being a man and admitting he made a mistake about seeing me with a firearm, he chose to remain silent and never appeared in court.. Howie Carr: What's so urgent in Holbrook, Mr. Speaker? What I can say is that I have full confidence in the integrity and professionalism of the Chief of Police and the men and women that make up the Holyoke Police Department, he wrote. Published: 11/16/2021 9:42:49 PM HOLYOKE Last week, the city's acting mayor fired a police officer who earlier this year posted a viral video on social media alleging corruption and. var tag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkHolyokePD-hg031021,ph1'); Whether its now or later, well see.. As of 2019, the estimated population was 40,117. Roca said he hopes the Massachusetts government will audit the department. In it, he alleged that superior officers falsify overtime pay, have protected each other from punishment for misconduct and have fostered a culture of favoritism and racism when it comes to promotion. Tagged: Holyoke, Rafael Roca, Holyoke Police Department, Manny Febo, YouTube, Ella White, Pioneer Valley, Italian professors departure would mean end of Italian major and minor programs, Students mobilize against the rise in tuition costs/tuition increase, Holyoke police officer suspended after alleging corruption. Rafael Roca, a former US Marine who became a Holyoke, MA police officer in 2016, released this 43-minute video on Sunday exposing the corruption in his department. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. Roca was immediately placed on administrative leave as the department conducted an internal investigation. I plan to fight this to the end. He said that the officer had allegedly been instructed to give him remedial training on how to apply a tourniquet. This, he said, was a result of an incident in late January in which he had responded to an incident that resulted in a stabbing and been praised by his coworkers. list of candidates for Holyoke police officer. During the mayoral campaign, Garcias opponent, At-large City Councilor Michael Sullivan, responded to the Gazettes reporting by calling for an audit of the police departments handling of state and federal grant programs, calling the use of overtime excessive. Garcia responded to say that he, too, would support an audit. Who will be eaten first? He went on to say that he had tried to sue, tried speaking with the supervisors, Ive tried my union, Ive tried it all. Roca said he hoped that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Attorney General, along with the FBI, would open an investigation into the department. I kept yelling that they were violating our rights and they continued to search my vehicle against my will. Graduated from 36th Massachusetts Police Officer . Following Rocas allegations, the Gazette obtained and analyzed Holyoke Police Department records tracking overtime pay and hours. I wasnt looking for them to be on my side, but youd think if somebody was making allegations about their city they may have questions themselves.. Many of those officers all but one of whom are supervisors collected tens of thousands of dollars last year in overtime pay. NEPM has obtained a decades worth of civilian complaints against HPD officers and the departments own internal investigations of them. When the state Legislature passed its police reform bill, state Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Ashland, described the legislation as a necessary first step towards achieving systemic change through law enforcement accountability and transparency.. Roca said that the department is rife with racism. On Nov. 10, then acting mayor Terence Murphy followed that recommendation after a city lawyer determined there was just cause for firing Roca. The mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts, has broken his silence about an NEPM investigation that revealed the city's police department almost never disciplines officers whom civilians accuse of wrongdoing. The Holyoke Police Department has a chief, two lieutenants and four sergeants who are minority in the department command staff., Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. A Massachusetts police officer who posted a video online alleging corruption within his department says he has been placed on paid administrative leave after refusing to take it down and will probably lose his job. Concepcion alleged that he returned again and again for hours at a time until an HPD supervisor finally interviewed him three weeks later. Academic studies have shown its fairly common for police departments to sustain a small percentage of civilian complaints. The report, which Roca shared with the Gazette, was completed on July 2. The work of setting up a review board is difficult and time-intensive, Terrill said. }. In this still from a video Roca posted to YouTube on March 7, 2021, Roca alleges there is corruption and racism in the Holyoke Police Department. And thats the ultimate way of holding police accountable from the commissions perspective.. '"; A second, by the Firearm Review Board, lists Roca as exonerated.. var tag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkRocaHolyokeFiring-hg-111721,ph1'); They took my gun and my badge and kicked me out of the email system, Roca told Masslive.com on Monday. if (photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring2) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring3) > -1 || photocredit.indexOf(sellablestring4) > -1) { Roca said the straw that broke the camels back and resulted in him posting the video was a call from a coworker he received the day the video was posted, March 7. Contained within the civilian complaints against HPD officers are allegations ranging from the mundane to the criminal, including accusations that officers violently beat suspects, swore at civilians, used racial slurs, fabricated charges and abused their power. 'Holyoke police officer Rafael Roca alleges there iscorruption and racism in the Holyoke Police Department. Holyoke Officer Rafael Roca, a former Marine hired in 2016, said in the 43-minute video . license. And the department has yet to turn over a single investigation initiated by department supervisors or other agencies, which include allegations of everything from untruthfulness to an intercepted phone conversation revealing possible misconduct from the Hampden County jail, according to the HPDs log. Months later, on Nov. 10, then acting mayor Terence Murphy followed Pratts recommendation, firing Roca after a city lawyer determined that there was just cause, the Gazette reported.