MARBLEHEAD — The Marblehead Board of Selectmen is providing the following statement regarding an incident in which a now-former Marblehead Police Officer allegedly carved a swastika onto another officer’s personal vehicle.
“We were deeply disappointed to learn of this incident, which is both a direct contradiction of the spirit of inclusion we hold dear in our community, and a violation of the high standards to which we hold our law enforcement officers here in Marblehead.
“This former officer’s behavior in no way reflects the values of the department, and that is evident in the swift and decisive way Chief Picariello has responded to this incident once he became aware of it last month.
“There is simply no place for this kind of behavior within the Marblehead Police Department, and we are encouraged to know that the department has engaged a third-party investigator to explore this incident in-depth, as well as contacting the Anti-Defamation League of New England to conduct training and provide essential resources.
“Ultimately, no amount of training can counteract willful intolerance, and we are glad to know that the person responsible for this incident has resigned from the department. We know that this individual’s actions are not reflective of the character of the men and women who serve our community as police officers.”
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