Warren officers, officials back chief
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
By WILLIAM SWEET
[email protected]
WARREN - Warren Police Department officers last night showed support for Police Chief Glenn McKiel, seeking to quell a resident's recent charge that McKiel was the subject of a police investigation.
Seven officers, all members of the department hired before McKiel came to Warren last year, attended the selectmen's meeting last night as a show of support for their chief.
The group was backing up recent statements by officials with Worcester County, the State Police, and Police Chief Glenn McKiel's past employer in Littleton, refuting claims by a resident that the police chief was the subject of an investigation, and other rumors.
"We're here to support our chief," said Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz. "We're here to say we back the decisions he has made, and we'll back the decisions he will make."
McKiel recently received endorsements from police higher-ups in response to comments made by Finance Committee member Anne Bourque at an April 12 selectmen's meeting, claiming State Police had investigated McKiel. McKiel said last night that he didn't know about his officers' intentions to speak, however.
"I am surprised, I am pleased, I am humbled by this," said McKiel.
"Everyone's here of our own free will," said Bednarz. "It's not like he's stacking the department with his buddies."
Police officer and former selectman Joseph R. LaFlower said selectmen shouldn't have allowed Bourque' comments in open session, with a local cable access camera rolling, and without McKiel present at the time. The accusation should have been taken in a closed session, he said.
Littleton Police Chief John M. Kelly, Middlesex First Assistant District Attorney John McEvoy, State Police Superintendent Col. Thomas J. Foley, and Worcester County District Attorney John J. Conte denied that McKiel has ever been under investigation.
Bourque later said her information came secondhand.
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Tuesday, May 18, 2004
By WILLIAM SWEET
[email protected]
WARREN - Warren Police Department officers last night showed support for Police Chief Glenn McKiel, seeking to quell a resident's recent charge that McKiel was the subject of a police investigation.
Seven officers, all members of the department hired before McKiel came to Warren last year, attended the selectmen's meeting last night as a show of support for their chief.
The group was backing up recent statements by officials with Worcester County, the State Police, and Police Chief Glenn McKiel's past employer in Littleton, refuting claims by a resident that the police chief was the subject of an investigation, and other rumors.
"We're here to support our chief," said Sgt. Jeffrey Y. Bednarz. "We're here to say we back the decisions he has made, and we'll back the decisions he will make."
McKiel recently received endorsements from police higher-ups in response to comments made by Finance Committee member Anne Bourque at an April 12 selectmen's meeting, claiming State Police had investigated McKiel. McKiel said last night that he didn't know about his officers' intentions to speak, however.
"I am surprised, I am pleased, I am humbled by this," said McKiel.
"Everyone's here of our own free will," said Bednarz. "It's not like he's stacking the department with his buddies."
Police officer and former selectman Joseph R. LaFlower said selectmen shouldn't have allowed Bourque' comments in open session, with a local cable access camera rolling, and without McKiel present at the time. The accusation should have been taken in a closed session, he said.
Littleton Police Chief John M. Kelly, Middlesex First Assistant District Attorney John McEvoy, State Police Superintendent Col. Thomas J. Foley, and Worcester County District Attorney John J. Conte denied that McKiel has ever been under investigation.
Bourque later said her information came secondhand.
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- There's always a village idiot that has to open their trap...Bourque later said her information came secondhand.