Marblehead Police Officer Timothy Tufts Resigns Allegedly Scratched Swastika Onto Officer’s Personal Vehicle

 

Marblehead police said that Timothy Tufts has resigned in connection to an investigation of allegedly scratched a swastika into the paint of another officer’s personal vehicle.

Marblehead Police Officer Timothy Tufts resigns after allegedly scratching swastika onto other officer’s vehicle

Marblehead police said that Timothy Tufts has resigned in connection to an investigation of allegedly scratched a swastika into the paint of another officer’s personal vehicle.

A police officer in Marblehead has resigned after a swastika was scratched into the paint of another officer’s personal vehicle, officials said Wednesday.

Police Chief Robert Picariello announced in a statement that Officer Timothy Tufts has resigned from the department as a result of the incident.

Picariello became aware of the incident in mid-November. He started to gather facts and placed Tufts on administrative leave pending an investigation, consistent with the policies and procedures of the department, according to the statement.

“I am dismayed and deeply disturbed by this incident. Today, there is no room for excuses of ignorance. The swastika is a symbol of hate and genocide, and we must speak up against acts of hate and hate speech whenever and wherever we encounter it,” Picariello said. “The Marblehead Police Department is committed to equality and respect of human rights and human dignity. This incident is not representative of the dedicated, decent women and men in our agency.”  Tufts joined the department in March 2016.

Picariello said he has been in contact with the Anti-Defamation League of New England to provide training programs and resources for the department.

“Furthermore, I will commission an independent administrative review and retain an outside investigator to conduct a holistic finding of fact so that we can learn all of the facts of this incident and include it in our training programs,” the chief said. “I apologize to our community for this deeply disturbing and unfortunate situation, and I vow to do everything and engage every resource available to ensure that this kind of incident does not repeat itself in the future.”

The Marblehead Board of Selectmen said it was “deeply disappointed” to learn of the incident.

“This former officer’s behavior in no way reflects the values of the department, and that is evident in the swift and decisive way Chief Picariello has responded to this incident once he became aware of it last month,” the board wrote in a statement. “There is simply no place for this kind of behavior within the Marblehead Police Department, and we are encouraged to know that the department has engaged a third-party investigator to explore this incident in-depth, as well as contacting the Anti-Defamation League of New England to conduct training and provide essential resources.

“Ultimately, no amount of training can counteract willful intolerance, and we are glad to know that the person responsible for this incident has resigned from the department. We know that this individual’s actions are not reflective of the character of the men and women who serve our community as police officers,” the statement continued.