Boston, Saugus Police Officers Investigated For Possible Role In Capitol Riot, I-Team Sources Say
BOSTON (CBS) - Investigators, sources say, are looking into whether Boston and Saugus police officers were at the rally and siege on the Capitol last week.
"It's troubling to think that a police officer would be in the middle of what happened down there," said former Boston Police Commissioner and WBZ security analyst Ed Davis.
Boston Police are also investigating if one of their own was involved in the riot after sources say social media posts allegedly made by an officer were critical of the vice president. In two of the tweets obtained by the I-Team, the officer who is alleged to have used the alias "mailbox Joe" said "I will definitely be there January 6th." And in a series rants wrote "Dear fake news media. When half the country can see the truth that the election was a coup then it isn't a conspiracy. It is now a pretty wildly accepted fact."
Davis said the law is pretty clear about public statements made by police officers. "They have the responsibility to maintain the trust of the community," Davis said. "If they exercise their right to free speech but say things that would destroy the trust with the community, they can be terminated."
Earlier this week at a news conference with federal agents, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross talked about the consequences for any officer who participated in the attack on the Capitol. "Any and all people have the right to exercise their First Amendment rights," Gross said. "But if you violated the same team that I just mentioned here, we will hold you accountable and you will be brought to justice."
Saugus Police did not respond to our requests for comment. The FBI is leading the investigation into the incident at the Capitol and said it cannot confirm or deny any investigation at this time.