Massachusetts

Arlington Officer on Leave After Controversial Writings in Newsletter

A Massachusetts police lieutenant has been relieved of duty after suggesting in a newsletter that police should put aside restraint and meet "violence with violence."

Arlington town officials said Tuesday that Lt. Richard Pedrini has been placed on paid leave while officials investigate columns he wrote for the Massachusetts Police Association. Pedrini is the incoming executive director of the organization, which advocates for law enforcement officers.

Referencing the recent killings of police officers from Yarmouth and Weymouth, Pedrini wrote he was tired of "social justice warriors" telling police how to do their jobs, and that officers should forget about restraint and other "feel-good" measures he said were "getting our officers killed."

Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan says the comments aren't reflective of the department's values.

"Such remarks risk eroding the public trust that municipal police departments in Massachusetts have worked so hard to build in recent years. I disavow the remarks in the strongest possible terms, and this matter will be dealt with swiftly and certainly," Ryan said.

The Massachusetts Police Association Executive Board and President Alan Andrews also issued a statement:

"The Massachusetts Police Association is committed to earnestly advocating for members of the law enforcement community and seeks to unify and empower law enforcement officers throughout the Commonwealth. However, some of the columns that were written in the latest issue of The Sentinel newsletter do not uphold the high standards of the MPA and its mission."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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