Boston Police Officer Suspended Over Alleged Stalking Incident
BOSTON (CBS) - A Boston police officer has been suspended from the force for four months for allegedly stalking a woman while on duty.
Details of an internal investigation by the department were released on Wednesday. They found Sgt. Joel McCarthy left his patrol district back in February to follow the victim for miles after pulling her over. Investigators also found McCarthy looked up her address and went to her home.
Investigators found McCarthy in violation for conduct unbecoming, neglect of duty, and traffic enforcement.
He will be on unpaid suspension for four months and then be on probation. He cannot be promoted.
The victim said Wednesday she was pleased with the findings, but raised questions about the punishment.
"I'm happy he's going to be off the streets," she told WBZ-TV. "But is four months a long enough time? I don't know."
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Wednesday that from what he has heard about the case, he's comfortable with the punishment.
"I'm still not happy about the fact that any police officer follows anybody home, but again we have to work within the parameters of the law," Walsh said.
Sgt. McCarthy has been a Boston police officer for 19 years.
He was not available to comment on the story, but a woman who answered the door at his home refused to discuss the story.
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