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Boston Globe - United States
16 September 2007

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West Bridgewater Police Depart

Police lieutenant put on leave

WEST BRIDGEWATER - West Bridgewater Police Lieutenant Raymund Rogers has been placed on paid administrative leave for "conduct unbecoming a police officer in connection with misappropriation of municipal property and resources." But just what Rogers is accused of remains a secret - at least for now.

According to Rogers - the second in command in the department - the letter he received from the chief simply cited "violations of department rules and regulations." There has been nothing specific thus far, he said.

Police Chief Donald Clark would not elaborate on the charge, other than to say the investigation was triggered by a complaint by an outside vendor and the charge is not criminal.

Details are expected at an Oct. 2 disciplinary hearing, which selectmen voted to conduct in open session. But Rogers doubts that hearing will be held as scheduled.

"I won't be prepared," he said. "I haven't even received any paperwork from them."

He said the union's attorney could represent him, but he may opt to hire his own attorney for the hearing.

Rogers said he is filing an unfair labor practice complaint against the chief for putting him on leave. He also plans to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

"They keep saying 'misappropriation' like I stole something," Rogers said. "Nothing could be farther from the truth. I fully expect, at the end of this, to be returned to duty."

Rogers and Clark have a history of competition and, sometimes, conflict.

The two men vied for the job of police chief in 2004. Although Rogers scored higher than Clark on the civil service exam and was a lieutenant while Clark was a sergeant, selectmen chose Clark for the top position. "The lieutenant, I think, will never get over the fact he was bypassed," Clark said.

Rogers, in turn, suggests that Clark has raised the charges against him because of the past ill will.

Rogers conceded he's had a "difficult working relationship" with Clark since his appointment as chief. Five months after being made chief, Rogers said, Clark removed him from the department's detective unit and took him off a criminal investigation task force involving police officers from the three Bridgewaters. Clark said the reassignment was not a demotion.

Rogers filed a grievance over Clark's actions, but selectmen ruled for the chief, saying Clark has the authority to realign his staff at will.

"The two other chiefs I worked under had given me promotions," Rogers said. "I had been a detective for 15 years. [Clark] said I hadn't done anything wrong."

Rogers has been police union president for about a year, and historically, he said, "The union and the chief have a negative relationship."

The union and the police chief had a grievance hearing on an officer's complaint the night before Clark presented him with the letter placing him on administrative leave, according to Rogers.

Roger said he believes the chief is merely trying to get rid of him.

"I'm the oldest officer on the force," said Rogers, 54. He has been a police officer in town for more than 30 years.

Selectmen Matthew Albanese and Jerry Lawrence both characterized the accusations against Rogers as serious.

Lawrence dismissed Rogers's charge that he was being targeted because of his role in the union.

"This has nothing to do with his position as union president, nor does it have anything to do with any other officer in town," Lawrence said. "There is no harassment here. These are all legitimate issues."

Clark said he did most of the investigating of Rogers himself, but with some help from police Detective Victor Flaherty, the department's internal affairs officer.

Selectmen will have four options at the disciplinary hearing.

"There could be no action taken, a written reprimand put in his personnel file, suspension, or termination," Albanese said.

Rogers does have a past violation for using municipal resources for his own benefit. In March 2002, the State Ethics Commission issued a public enforcement letter against him for having department subordinates do errands for him, providing private transportation for his family members in an unmarked cruiser while they were on the clock. The commission issued the letter warning Rogers that asking favors of subordinates, who he had disciplinary power over, is a violation of ethics.

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Article sourced from

Boston Globe - United States16 September 2007

Police lieutenant put on leave

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Boston Globe - United States
16 September 2007