Statement Regarding Officer's Social Media Posts

“Upon being notified of a series of deeply disturbing social media statements believed to have been posted by a Cambridge Police Officer on his personal social media account, the Cambridge Police Department’s Professional Standards Unit has been directed to immediately commence a comprehensive staff investigation to determine if such statements were in fact made by the Officer and if the Officer violated any of the Department’s Codes of Conduct, Policies or Procedures. As a general matter, the City does not monitor employees’ use of their own private social media outside of work. However, while the Department recognizes that employees have a right to free speech under the First Amendment, the Department will not tolerate statements that are inflammatory, discriminatory and/or disrespectful to any individuals, races or ethnicities that are linked in any way to an Officer’s employment as a Cambridge Police Officer. The Cambridge Police Department is committed to providing residents of Cambridge with the highest level of policing for all persons, regardless of race or political affiliation. As law enforcement officers, all Cambridge Police Officers have a tremendous responsibility to the public they serve, and therefore must be held to the highest standards of trust and integrity. If the alleged statements were in fact made by the Officer on a public social media platform and are found to have violated the Department’s Codes of Conduct, Policies or Procedures, the Department will seek to impose strict discipline against the officer (who has been off-duty since May due to unrelated matters.) Beyond that, the City cannot comment on specific personnel matters with members of the public or the press.

Statements such as those alleged to have been made violate the public trust that the Department has rigorously taken pride in building, which can cause immeasurable damage to that trust, and they will not be tolerated.

It is imperative that the community can rely upon and have the utmost confidence in the commitment of all Cambridge Police Department Officers to provide the highest level of public safety services to all residents of Cambridge.”