Citizen Complains About Police

Ken O’Brien

Appearing at last night’s Town Council Meeting, Southbridge citizen Steve Demers leveled allegations against the Southbridge Police Department.

Saying that he has experienced four break-ins at his home on Hartwell Terrace, three since mid-January, Mr. Demers indicated the lack of serious attention from the local department. Among his complaints was the mishandling of a surveillance video provided to the police. At the request of an Assistant District Attorney at the Dudley District Court he sought to regain possession of the video presented to the department. The police were allegedly unable to locate the video. This resulted in his need to replicate it in order to meet the ADA’s request.

Sunday Photo-'Toons 1.30

Southbridge Police Union Accuses Town Manager of Misleading Statements

Ken O’Brien

After the little weather incident we had Monday, I went out to my mailbox yesterday.

Somewhat worse for wear from the ravages of Sandy was a letter asking for my dubious help in addressing a matter that should be of concern to Southbridge residents.

The letter, regrettably anonymous, addressed another recent letter relating to matters that have been simmering for some time as they relate to the Southbridge Police Department. 

Southbridge Council Asks State For Police Department Audit

Ken O’Brien

Chief Daniel Charette

Following a sometimes tense discussion the Southbridge Town Council voted 6 to 3 to adopt a motion requesting that the State Auditor conduct an audit of the Southbridge Police Department from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2012.

The motion had been presented by Councilor Laurent “Butch” McDonald and was signed onto by all eight other councilors.

During discussion, council chair Catherine Nikolla conceded that she had signed off on the request but that she regretted it almost as soon as she did. 

Oversight: A Contrast Of Imbalances in Southbridge

Ken O’Brien

Two issues have come to a head in Southbridge and will result in either decisions or ongoing indecision in the near future.

The issues are the question of whether there will be one or two Principals at the new Southbridge Middle/High School and the growing disaffection between the Chief and the rank and file in the Southbridge Police Department. 

Police Union - Chief Not Concerned With Issues In Department

Ken O’Brien

As The O’Zone has reported for over a month, the vast majority of officers in the Southbridge Police Department are seriously dissatisfied with the leadership of Chief Daniel Charrette.

Of the 29 members of the Southbridge Police Association, 24 voted in favor, 4 opposed and one abstained on a motion that stated, among numerous concerns, that “The level of morale within the department is very low and it is our opinion that Chief Charette is not concerned with the issues within the Police Department.”

As reported earlier, a letter expanding upon these issues has been sent to all town councilors and the town manager.

The text of the letter follows:

Southbridge Police Set To Issue “Letter Of Concern” Regarding Chief

Ken O’Brien

At the end of May The O’Zone reported that the Southbridge Police union had taken what was initially termed a vote of “no confidence” in Police Chief Daniel Charette.

After a  month and a half of back and forth with their attorneys, the union is about to release what is being termed a “letter of concern”.

The letter is set to be issued to the town manager, the town council and local press outlets. 

Southbridge Police Union Votes “No Confidence” In Chief

Ken O’Brien

The O’Zone has received confirmation from multiple sources that the Southbridge Police Association recently took a vote of “no confidence” in Southbridge Chief of Police Daniel Charette.

Indications are that the final text of the union’s statement is being reviewed prior to a formal public release.

The action will undoubtedly pose a difficult situation for town manager Christopher Clark who is the Chief’s immediate superior. Regardless of the specific grounds for the resolution, the fact is that any police department is in essence a paramilitary organization. The loss of confidence in a superior officer poses serious issues of morale as well as discipline.

More details will be forthcoming as they become available.

UPDATES: 9:15 am – 5/30: An additional preliminary report indicates what was actually termed a vote of “no faith” in the chief carried by a vote of 15 to 0.

Southbridge’s Rogue Regime – Part 2

Ken O’Brien

As regular readers of the O’Zone know, we first reported on the issue surrounding a second candidate for a full-time position at the Southbridge police department on January 20.

On January 21 we reported additional information detailing how the town administration planned to extend the period for this candidate to meet the eligibility requirements for that position.

At January 23^rd’s town council meeting, during councilors’ forum, councilor Darlene Marcucci raised this issue.

Two Strikes for Southbridge Police Candidates

Ken O’Brien

On December 19, 2011, the Southbridge Town Council voted to approve the appointment of three full-time police officers recommended by Police Chief Daniel Charette and the subcommittee on the Protection of Persons and Property.

The three candidates approved were Daniel P. Rogers of Southbridge, Miosotis Diaz-Ortiz of Southbridge and Brian A Ruggieri of Brookfield.

Rogers was subsequently compelled to withdraw his candidacy when it was found that he had made videos posted on you-tube that were described in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette of January 7, 2012. “During a scene in one video, a man wearing women’s clothing rings the doorbell to a home, and after an exchange, the respondent points a gun at the cross-dresser’s head, threatening to shoot him.
The sketch appears to make fun of both people in same-sex relationships and, because of the manner in which one character spoke, people who are developmentally challenged.”

Hello? Kathy Charette? Are You There?

Kenneth M. O’Brien

Earlier today the wife of the Southbridge Police Chief posted a comment on this site.

Responding to another frequent, oh so frequent, commenter, Mrs. Charette stated: