CHIEF'S RESPONSE TO SENATOR WARREN
Good afternoon, last week, Senator Elizabeth Warren stated "The American criminal justice system is racist ... front to back."
This statement is an insult to the hard working men and women of the Yarmouth Police Department as well as other Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies who are part of the criminal justice system. Additionally there are many District Attorneys, Judges, Probation Officers, Parole Officers, and other members and parts of the system that she slapped in the face.
It is more bothersome that a short time ago, Senator Warren made some efforts to pay respects to Sgt. Sean Gannon and Sgt. Michael Chesna who lost their lives while protecting us all.
Senator Warren's recent statement tarnished us all and diminished the sincerity of her condolence efforts. I now cannot trust her actions or words are real.
I have a lot of respect for those who serve in elected positions even though we may disagree at times, however statements like this are disrespectful and divisive.
In spite of what Sen. Warren said, the Yarmouth Police Department will continue to serve ALL people with dignity and fairness.
Respectfully,
Chief Frank G. Frederickson
Below is a letter sent to Senator Warren by the Massachusetts Chief of Police Association Chief President Steven J. Wojnar
August 7, 2018
The Honorable Elizabeth Warren
United States Senate
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Dear Senator Warren,
As President of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, I felt compelled to write you and ask for clarification of your recent comments. An article that appeared in The Worcester Telegram and Gazette from August 4, 2018 was entitled “Elizabeth Warren: Criminal Justice System “racist” front to back.”
http://www.telegram.com/news/20180804/elizabeth-warren-criminal-justice-system-racistfront-to-back . While at a Congressional Black Caucus event at Dillard University in New Orleans, you are quoted as saying, “the hard truth about our criminal justice system: It’s racist…I mean front to back.”
As a police chief in your home state of Massachusetts, as well as the statewide association representative, I am extremely troubled by this statement. Labeling the entire criminal justice profession as “racist” spreads false and damaging information about our members. We feel we do a very good job in Massachusetts of producing professional and community oriented police officers. These men and women, from a variety of backgrounds, provide dedicated service to their respective communities under difficult and highly scrutinized circumstances each day. As leaders, we are always concerned about having our officers conduct themselves professionally and fairly when dealing with the public. When our elected officials make generalized and inflammatory statements about our entire profession, without any information to back their position, it creates further hostility toward our officers and can damage the positive relationships with our residents that we have worked long and hard to establish.
From the outside, it appears your statement was strategically placed to gather support for your position. As you may know, this is troubling to the law enforcement professionals in the state you represent. In recent months, we have seen the murder of two officers in Yarmouth and Weymouth. In only the last two weeks, two officers were shot in Falmouth. All of these officers were simply doing their jobs when they encountered dangerous individuals. The outpouring of community support for these officers and their departments would appear to be contrary to your position. On each occasion mentioned above, the respective chiefs were contacted by their elected local, state, and federal officials. They were offered any support necessary. I am sure the discussion about the profession being racist was never brought up during these times. Why is it appropriate now? At bare minimum, we are requesting an explanation for your comments. As law enforcement professionals, as well as your constituents, that is deserved. I gladly offer you the opportunity to discuss anything with us that you feel appropriate. We always remain open to a conversation. Should you wish to do so, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for the time and attention.
Sincerely,
Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department
President, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association
THANK YOU to the United States Deputy Sheriff's Association for the donation of 10 quik clot gauze packs and 10 tourniquets to the department. This life saving equipment will be distributed to officers. We hope the items are never needed but they are a necessity today. In today's world these items are as valuable to an officer as their body armor and portable radio.
Safer Internet Day 2021 - February 9th
Safer Internet Day (SID) is recognized by more than 140 countries and was established to promote Internet safety and the positive use of technology by today's youth. We encourage you to learn more about the initiative by participating in the various events that are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 9th.
The best tool we have to prevent Internet crimes against children is education. If your looking for ways to educate yourself, your children, co-workers, teachers, etc., we have compiled videos and resources that offer a variety of tools for learning and teaching how to safely use the Internet.
For more information please visit: https://www.icactaskforce.org/Pages/InternetSafety.aspx
Friendly Reminder.
This page is not monitored 24/7. Sometimes a message may be sent and not observed for days. Sending a Facebook message about a crime or complaint is not completing or filing a report. Sending a Facebook message is also not speaking to or notifying an Officer. If you have a complaint or are a victim of a crime or would like to report a crime, please come to the Yarmouth Police Department and request to speak with an on-duty Officer in person or you can call the Yarmouth Police Department at 508-775-0445 ex 2100 and request assistance from an on-duty Officer.
If your complaint is an Emergency, please refrain from using social media (Facebook) to report your emergency and call 911.
Thank you
reflect the opinions of...
