Montague Police Department 180 Turnpike Road Turners Falls, MA Montague Patrolman Local 184 Montague Sergeants Local 183 To: Town of Montague Selectboard and ‘Town Administrator Steven Ellis From: The Montague Patrolmen and Sergeants Unions’ Re: Chief Charles Dodge The October 12th article, “In recovery, Montague Police Chief Chip Dodge was focus of AG Probe,” was disturbing to the Police Patrolmen and Sergeants, and we were particularly dismayed that the chief made the following statements on the public record: “At the time I just figured they [the keys] had been lost by me and would resurface at some point; however now am suspecting someone may have actually taken them, which is why I can't find them,” he [Dodge] said. “These keys can access my office and closet.” “Thinking about this now, Irealize that there are many occasions where there is nobody around to witness someone accessing my office after hours unbeknownst to me. Someone could have simply entered my office after normal business hours and helped themselves to these bags [of drugs from the drop box] if they really wanted to. I have never checked a box to see ifthe tape had been pulled back because I never thought I had to. It was my belief that we are police officers and we would not act inappropriately.” These comments and actions by Chief Dodge prompted the following public statement, released on October 16, 2017, by the Union representing the Montague patrolmen and sergeants, To the community of Montague, The members of the Montague Police Union were disheartened to read the October 12" article in the Greenfield Recorder, which addressed the Attorney General's probe into the police department's medicine drop box. And while itis not our job or intent to point fingers, we do feel an obligation to set the record ' The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the police unions.straight when the integrity of our membership is unfairly, and without any basis whatsoever, called into question. The Police Chief was quoted in the article. In particular, we are disappointed about his suggestion that perhaps one of our police officers may have come into the Chief's office after hours and “helped themselves” to drugs from the drop box. Police work, while extremely rewarding, is also extremely challenging. The current opioid epidemic has only increased these challenges. Our officers have worked hard to help combat this crisis, and such baseless suggestions like those in this article, in our opinion, tarnish both the efforts and reputations of our officers and sergeants, making a difficult job even tougher. This case was thoroughly investigated by the Attorney General and State Police. We would like to highlight that: No patrolman or sergeant was ever questioned as a suspect in this investigation by the Massachusetts State Police. No patrolman or sergeant has ever been questioned about missing keys at the Montague Police Department. No patrolman or sergeant had keys to the medicine drop off box prior to the investigation. No patrolman or sergeant was disciplined in any way in connection with this investigation. No patrolman or sergeant was even aware of the investigation into the Chief's office until the Massachusetts State Police arrived on June 23rd, 2016. Neither patrolman nor sergeants were aware of the Recorder story that was published on October 12, 2017, nor were we given a chance to comment on the record, Substance abuse is a serious issue and one that has unfortunately plagued both our town and our country for a long time, Montague officers, like police everywhere, are on the front lines of this fight every day. We deal head-on with the unfortunate domino effects of this addiction, including administering life saving Narcan medicine to overdose victims. The credibility of our members was never in question, and we remain committed to help those impacted by this nationwide epidemic. The Montague Police Union Due to the public comments and conduct of Chief Dodge on this issue, the Patrolmen and Sergeant’s unions have, unfortunately, lost trust and confidence in his ability to lead this Department. The Chief's lack of leadership and self-serving finger pointing has placed officer morale at an all-time low. It is the opinion of both unions that Chief Dodge’s made these ‘comments ~ all without any basis in fact or reality ~ in an attempt to deflect the investigation and criticism from himself.On October 19th, both police unions held a joint meeting. With the exception of one officer who is currently enrolled in the police academy, the meeting was attended by 100% of the membership. The entire membership, on a vote of no-confidence in Chief Dodge — unanimously agreed that it,unfortunately, has no confidence in his ability to lead this important public safety department. Itis not lightly that the patrolmen and sergeant come to this decision. In addition to the public disparagement of our membership, we have taken the following circumstances into consideration: © 1n.2000 Chief Dodge was the subject of a disciplinary demotion from Sergeant to patrolman, The Civil Service Commission, in a public decision (Docket No. D 00 4160°) upheld the discipline, finding that “his [Dodge] attempt to cover the incident up was motivated purely by self interest and self protection.” The Commission went on to find that much more serious discipline would be warranted. We found this relevant only because, in our opinion, it appears to be a re-occurrence of the same type of self serving behavior at the expense of others. In this case, he created a black cloud over his entire staff of dedicated officers in what appears to be nothing more than an attempt to deflect blame from himself. This pattern of conduct directly relates to our lack of confidence, © Inconnection with his recent 4-day paid leave, the Chief came back to work on June 28", Immediately upon returning to work, he attempted to change the work-shifts of patrolmen and sergeants that he had previously approved a month earlier. Chief Dodge also postponed filling a vacant sergeant’s position, and instead opted to make a non-union lieutenant’s promotion earlier than originally planned. The patrolmen and sergeants’ unions were of the opinion that these drastic personnel changes were in retaliation for the Chief's perception a patrolmen or sergeant from the Montague Police Department initiated the Attomey General's investigation. These situations were only rectified when a union grievance was filed on July 7th 2016, This retaliatory conduct has a direct relation to the unions’ lack of confidence. © Inthe October 12th newspaper article, Chief Dodge was asked many questions, including whether he came late at night to empty the medicine drop box. ‘The Chief responded that he did not. Without elaborating the details of the article and the AG's investigation, itis the opinion of the unions that the public statements made by the Chief are inconsistent with the observations of our membership and, significantly, are neither a truthful nor jon’s decision is a public record and is reported and available online.honest account of the facts as they relate to the handling of the drug box. This deviation from the truth has a direct relation to the unions’ lack of confidence, ‘© Given the circumstances involved, and Chief Dodge’s admissions about his own opioid addiction, the unions lack confidence that Chief Dodge is fit to carry out the duties as the leader of the department. Certainly, it is well known that rank and file police officers in a similar situation would be relieved of duty. © Ithas come to our attention that before the October 12th newspaper article was published, Chief Dodge told a few 911-dispatchers and the Turners Falls Fire Department employees about the upcoming article, Sadly, and now understandably given its content, he never informed the patrolmen and sergeants. This failure of communication and leadership has a direct correlation with the unions’ lack of confidence. © The leader of this Department has, without basis, publically challenged the credibility of our police officers, The union is concerned that the Chief’s conduct will have a negative, long-term impact on the credibility of our officers and the department, particularly when officers are called regularly to testify as witnesses in court on behalf of the Town and the Commonwealth. Police Officers in Massachusetts are held to a very high standard. The members of our union accept this standard and are privileged to work in our community. We ask that the Town hold our police leaders to the same standard, and take all action necessary to restore confidence and morale in a once proud Montague Police Department,By order of seniority: Cre ge Staff Sergeant Christopher Williams Officer Mike Sevene Officer Nathan at ifficer Joshua Dobosz Nok prevent ab Pole Reasteny )fficer Daniel Miner Officer Jamal Holland < Officer James Ruddock Officer Justiy( Moody