Posted on 02/09/2007 8:13:33 PM PST by kristinn
WRENTHAM - Police Chief Joseph Collamati has asked Norfolk County District Attorney William Keating to investigate allegations a town police officer may have posted information on an Internet blog critical of selectmen.
Collamati said Thursday the allegations, discussed in open session by selectmen at the end of their meeting Tuesday night, "demeans the reputation of everybody here" in the police department.
The police chief wants the district attorney's office to conduct an independent investigation.
"Quite frankly, I was a little disturbed by the allegations. I don't think they're true," Collamati said. "The officers of the Wrentham police department feel their character has been assassinated."
Collamati said individuals calling themselves "Little Bill" and "Guinness Boy" made the negative comments on a blog on Feb. 23, 2005.
The blog's address, www.freepublic.com/focus/f-news, now leads to MegaGo.com, which offers a "one click search" of keywords.
Collamati said he had done a preliminary look at the text.
"I don't see anything in there that refers to a Wrentham police officer, but politics does strange things," Collamati said.
Selectmen say they heard a police officer had used the name "Guinness Boy," but hadn't confirmed that.
"They were making fun of John Zizza and Mary Dunn and me," said Selectwoman Jennifer Firth, who raised the issue at the selectmen's meeting at the urging of board member Richard Dion. "It was concerning the election" of April 2005, and ideas being bantered about on how to unseat Greg Pazurchek.
Pazurchek ended up being defeated by George Labonte, who has a relative on the police department. Firth, who had been on the board since before 2005, won another term last year. Dunn and Zizza were selectmen during 2005.
Labonte pointed out at the selectmen's meeting that anybody can say they are anyone on a blog.
Firth called the Internet site a "political blog written on a left wing Web site, Free Republic," which included a chat room.
Firth said she has no problem with referral of the case to the district attorney's office.
"We certainly welcome him to do so, and file any complaint he would like to," Firth said of the police chief.
Information about the blog text was left anonymously at the selectmen's office, and that was forwarded by Dunn to Collamati for investigation, Firth said.
The matter was later discussed by selectmen in closed session.
Firth said Dion, who resigned at the end of the selectmen's meeting for personal reasons, wanted the blog issue discussed in open session against her wishes.
"There was no reason to put it in a public political forum," Firth said, adding she questions the credibility of blogs. "I thought it was inappropriate. You don't know who the people are who are actually chatting."
Selectmen and police officers have not had a smooth a relationship in recent years, and that worsened with budget reductions this fiscal year that led to layoffs of two patrolmen, one position of which has been restored.
There has also been controversy over improving public safety communications coverage in the west end.
In recent months, selectmen have discussed accountability and discipline procedures of police officers and firefighters with Collamati and Fire Chief Robert Morrill, but there have been no serious problems with the rank and file.
"I greatly respect the police department and think they are doing a great job for the town," Firth said. "I have nothing negative to say."
touché
Now THAT'S gonna leave a mark...lol...
LOL! nay, nay, nay, nay, nay. Call the police! Get the Chief! The Fire Chief too!
What'd they say, "Zizza Dun Jennifer Firth!"?
LOL! That's < exactly > what I was thinking. ;o)
Is it just me or is that guy flipping the bird in his picture?
I second the motion... and if they think this is some left wing site... well I triple the motion.
Our ruling class of political elites does not appreciate not being able to control the internet.
Copy. On it.
Bump for later
He is flipping us off dude.
I don't know, but if their is something out here that is further right of us I would be shocked. Yes shocked I tell you. LOL. Amen.
you are the bomb
FR IS a left wing site considering the media keeps telling me about how dangerous the "far right" is.
The people on FR do not pose a threat so I can only imagine how far to the right the dangerous ones must be.
Reminds me of an article in the Nation claiming that GW Bush owned the Houston Astros and palled with Ken Lay to build the Astros' ballpark.
When they were informed the Bush owned the Arlington Texas Rangers, the article was changed to say that Bush palled with Ken Lay to build the Rangers ballpark.
They finally scrapped the attempt at linking the 2 guys when it was pointed out that Ken Lay worked with the city (Dems) to build the Astros a new ballpark downtown in Houston. And that GW Bush owned a team in another city that did not buld another NEW park, let alone using Ken Lay's influence.
And the other one's maiden name was "Votzgesicht."
< };^)
(I try to make up ridiculous names in German, only to find out I've been beaten to the punch 26,344 times.)
how very, very embarrassing for the journalists who wrote this story.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.