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Posted by: 2-Delta

Assistant special sheriff demoted

July 08, 2006 | Old Colony Memorial
By Rich Harbert, MPG Newspapers






PLYMOUTH – Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald demoted his second-in-command this week amid complaints about the former police prosecutor’s management style.

Christopher Coppage, a Plymouth native, was reassigned from special sheriff to immigration and customs enforcement liaison Wednesday.

The demotion carries a cut in salary of more than $25,000.

McDonald said the move follows complaints that Coppage created a hostile work environment within the sheriff’s department.

As immigration and customs liaison, he will work primarily in Boston. His new salary will be $61,883.

McDonald, a former Plymouth County prosecutor, tapped Coppage as his second-in-command on taking office in January 2005.

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A veteran police officer, Coppage worked as a correctional officer at the county jail before joining the Plymouth and Duxbury police departments. He most recently served as Duxbury’s police prosecutor.

As special sheriff, Coppage assumed the sheriff’s role in McDonald’s absence. McDonald said Coppage had problems managing the staff and has been the subject of several complaints from the men and women working under him.

As immigration and customs enforcement liaison he will report to the department’s director of field services and will work on the streets apprehending illegal immigrants.

McDonald predicted Coppage will be happier in his new role.

“Chris was not ready to turn in his firearm for a pencil,” McDonald said. “He was not ready to be a desk jockey.”

McDonald said there is no required timetable for filling the vacancy and he has no immediate plans to name a replacement. Coppage was on vacation this week and could not be reached for comment.

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Posted by: BOSCO5O

What's a police prosecutor???

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Posted by: mpd61

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOSCO5O What's a police prosecutor???

Ahhhh.......

That would be the guy who prosecutes traffic, misdemeanors, and some simple felonies for his agency. lets the D.A.'s office concentrate on the big and/or important cases. Nearly every agency has em, including many campus departments and the MSP too!

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Posted by: texdep

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOSCO5O What's a police prosecutor???

also called your department's "court officer"

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Posted by: mpd61

Chris is happy and will soon be appointed the U.S. Marshal for this district!

GO CHRIS!=D>

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Posted by: Vader

As immigration and customs enforcement liaison he will report to the department’s director of field services and will work on the streets apprehending illegal immigrants.

Yea, right...I'm sure he'll be out there with his "special sheriff liaison ICE badge" apprehending illegal immigrants. I'm wondering...who is he replacing at this "liaison" position? Or is this a job created by the almighty Sheriff? I'm also wondering...the Sheriff's supposed number 2 guy...the "special sheriff" has just been removed. And yet there is no timetable to replace anyone at that position??? This is a job for the "second in command" and there is no plans to fill it??? I guess it wasn't such an important position to begin with.

No wonder why Sheriff Lone Wolf is being investigated...

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Posted by: RPD931

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpd61 Chris is happy and will soon be appointed the U.S. Marshal for this district! GO CHRIS!=D>

If this is true, he may want to change his management style...

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