Moving Forward in Light of Brady By Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, City of Medford

Since before I took office as Mayor, I understood how the recent issues at the Medford Police Department affected the people of Medford. I understand the feelings held by many in the community, and in fact, I share them.

Now, as Mayor, I am faced with how to move forward and create a culture at the Medford Police Department that the public can trust.

On my first day in office, I reviewed the results of the paid detail investigation and discussed in depth the impact of the placement of the officers implicated in the investigation on the “Brady” list by the Middlesex District Attorney. Although no criminal charges would be filed against any of the officers, because of their placement on this list, the results of the officers’ discipline will now be part of the required disclosure of evidence whenever one of them take part in a criminal trial.

With respect to the 2019 paid detail investigation, the disciplinary action has already been rendered for the violation in policy and lack of judgement. I was not involved in the investigation nor in the determination of the extent of discipline. That said, I do not believe it’s appropriate to revisit previously rendered discipline several months after it was imposed but let me be clear: I believe in the principles of progressive discipline and the officers in question should realize that any additional infractions will be met with swift and much more serious discipline.

However, several questions still remain. What impact will the placing of these officers on the ‘Brady’ list have on the Medford Police Department? How effective are these officers when testifying in court? How do we move forward?

Because of the unprecedented nature of these circumstances, I have engaged the services of former United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz, now an attorney in private practice, to assist the City in charting a path forward that balances the need to ensure public safety of our residents while rebuilding the trust in the Medford Police Department.

Attorney Ortiz’s broad experience as a former state and federal prosecutor will assist the City in making thoughtful decisions on how to move forward that are in line with the law, best practices, and that protect the public.

I have also directed Chief Jack Buckley to outline what changes have been put in place since the detail investigation concluded, including all the trainings that our officers have been given to prevent future violations of department policies. I have asked him to review and revise detail policies and procedures to address the lessons learned from this incident. I have asked the Chief to complete his revisions within 30 days and make them publicly available when complete.

It is important to note that more than 75 officers – the vast majority of our police force – were not implicated in this scandal and continue to perform their duties admirably and effectively each and every day.

The City of Medford is committed to acknowledging and learning from its mistakes. We have the leadership and dedication to address this matter appropriately, to correct inappropriate behaviors, to teach and to learn, and in moving forward, to continue to protect the best interest of the public.