Crime & Safety

Mayor Requests Funds For Waltham Police Chief Investigation Again

Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix is facing serious charges for allegedly attacking his wife and her friend.

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy has again requested funding for an internal investigation of Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix, who is accused of assaulting his wife and her friend.

McCarthy, in a Feb. 20 letter to the City Council, requested $10,000 from the city’s personnel unemployment account that would be used to hire a retired state police officer to investigate whether LaCroix violated the police department’s internal rules. The investigation could lead to disciplinary action. 

The money request is on the agenda for the Monday, Feb. 25 City Council meeting during which it will likely be referred to a subcommittee for future discussion. 

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LaCroix is facing serious assault charges for allegedly attacking his wife and her friend at their Maynard home in June 2012. His trial is scheduled to start on March 27.

LaCroix is currently on paid leave from the Waltham Police Department and on house arrest.

Find out what's happening in Walthamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

INVESTIGATOR DETAILS

If approved, the investigator would interview Maynard and Framingham Police officers involved in the case and attend LaCroix’s trial, according to McCarthy's letter. McCarthy did not specify how Framingham Police were involved in the case. However, Maynard Police responded to the June 2012 incident at LaCroix’s home.

The timing of the latest request is designed to coincide with LaCroix’s trial, according to McCarthy’s letter. 

“The timing of this request is designed so that the city won’t be delayed in proceeding administratively upon the disposition of the criminal matter. Otherwise, there will be a delay in ending paid administrative leave,” McCarthy wrote.

The City Council’s Finance Committee in February rejected a similar request for $20,000 after councilors said they did not want to waste taxpayer money on information that could be gleaned during LaCroix’s upcoming trial.

The newest request, however, is from the city’s personnel unemployment account instead of the city’s free cash account.

McCarthy has said an outside investigator is required because having the police department investigate LaCroix could pose a conflict of interest. Waltham Police Department regulations require an investigation be conducted to determine whether LaCroix violated department rules, according to McCarthy.

FULL COVERAGE OF THE ARREST OF WALTHAM POLICE CHIEF THOMAS LACROIX


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