Brookline Police Officers Say They Were Targets Of Discrimination
BROOKLINE (CBS) -- Two Brookline Police officers told the town's Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations Commission last week that they had been the target of discriminatory conduct at work, according the chairman of the Brookline Board of Selectmen.
"This board is deeply concerned about allegations of this nature," Brookline Board of Selectmen chair Neil Wishinsky said in a statement.
Both officers' allegations were previously raised with Brookline's police chief, and the Brookline Police Department initiated investigations. Brookline's Human Resources Department will also appoint an outside investigator who is not a town employee to investigate the complaints, as per the town's Policy against Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Retaliation. In addition, Brookline Police Chief Daniel O'Leary is working independently with an outside consultant to talk with officers about their experiences and concerns.
"These allegations, though disturbing, will be dealt with and should not take away from the outstanding work the Department and our Members do on a daily basis," said O'Leary in a statement.
O'Leary that his department could not comment further until the town's Human Resources Department investigation is complete.
Wishinsky said the investigations would follow and support a recent racial climate review of the town's Public Safety Departments.
"Discrimination or retaliation in the workplace on the basis of race or other protected class or characteristic will not be tolerated in Brookline, and I offer my assurance as Chair of this Board that any employee who is found responsible for such conduct will be swiftly and appropriately disciplined," said Wishinsky.