Waltham Mayor Wants Money For Police Chief Investigation
Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix is facing serious assault charges.
Waltham Mayor Jeanette McCarthy has officially requested $20,000 to hire an independent counsel to perform a Waltham Police Department internal affairs investigation of Police Chief Thomas LaCroix, according to the Boston Globe.
LaCroix remains on paid leave as he faces serious charges for allegedly assaulting his wife and her friend last year. He is currently under house arrest as his Feb. 13 trial date approaches.
McCarthy told the Globe the city needs to hire the independent counsel so it can avoid any conflicts of interest with the Waltham Police Department. The money would come out of the city’s free cash account, City Clerk Russ Malone told the Globe.
The Waltham City Council, which would have to approve the request, has referred the request to the city's Finance Committee.
Acting Chief Keith MacPherson is running the department in LaCroix's absence.
moe howard
10:17 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Absurd
Ryan Grannan-Doll
10:19 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Moe,
How is conducting an investigation with an independent party "absurd?" Can you explain further?
Steven Cavaretta
11:19 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Seems reasonable, depending upon who is hired. Hopefully it won't be a retired Waltham cop or politician.
moe howard
12:19 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
20,000 free cash? Come on really??? Waste of money. Let it go to trial.
Tracey
12:27 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
In 2010 LaCroix was making $159K a year - how about the city taking the $20K out of his "paid leave".
moe howard
12:32 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Good point. Didn't know his salary.
CP
1:07 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Why should waltham taxpayers pay for this. Let the Attorney General lend you some staff we already pay them. I don't even want him on paid leave. He belongs in jail just like any ordinary citizen would be.
Ryan Grannan-Doll
1:42 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Commenters,
Let me reemphasize the point here. The money is for an "internal affairs" investigation of the issue. LaCroix's case is still proceeding through the Massachusetts court system.
@CP, Waltham taxpayers also pay the Attorney General's salary, just something to consider in your point. Also, that office typically does not handle local matters such as this.
Steven Cavaretta
1:52 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Good points Ryan but obviously the jury of his peers as convened here has already reached a verdict.
Marg G
8:08 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
CP, you are so right. why should he get special treatment. anyone else would be jailed and have no pay.
andipandi
5:09 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Internal Affairs sounds like a fine idea... if he was breaking the law at home, perhaps he was also breaking some rules at work.
Ryan Grannan-Doll
8:19 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
@CP and Marg G,
No accusations have been made that LaCroix has received special treatment. Also, Marg, as for the pay issue, LaCroix continues to receive pay because he is presumed innocent until found guilty, just like anybody else accused of a crime.
Rick
7:38 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Gald to see the mayor is not using her own Police Dept Internal affairs. In a personal experience all the Waltham Internal Affairs did was Protect and Serve their own and did nothing to find out what was the truth.
ij4239
9:09 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Great job on his back ground check!
ij4239
9:11 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I agree with Howard let it go to trial waste of cash!
CP
7:03 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
If he wasn't on "paid leave" Mayor, you would already have the $20,000.
ij4239
1:07 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Why doesn't mayor reach into all the funds she likes to hide in creative accounting instead of paying city empioyees
CP
8:18 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Ryan,
Are you saying that assuming he is found innocent, paying him is okay but if found guilty he would give the money back? I doubt it.
Ryan Grannan-Doll
9:15 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
No. I am saying that LaCroix is entitled to the presumption of innocence under the law before he stands trial. As for the pay issue, it is not unusual for employees in any accused of a crime to receive pay as they are on leave. Former Newton Police Chief Matt Cummings received pay during his controversial situation. http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/19410818/2012/08/29/newton-police-chief-placed-on-administrative-leave-pending-hearing
I am not defending any side of the situation here. I am restating facts in order help readers better understand them.
Steven Cavaretta
9:24 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Ryan
Ever feel like Gary Cooper trying to reason with a lynch mob?