Selectmen to Bring in Independent Hearing Officer for Indicted Cop Investigation

HINGHAM, MA - An independent hearing officer will be brought in as part of the town’s investigation of a police officer charged in an insurance fraud scheme.

The selectmen voted 2-0 Thursday night to authorize the appointment of an independent hearing officer for the hearing of Sgt. Kris Phillips. The officer will be required to submit a finding of facts and a recommendation for discipline if necessary to the selectmen. Selectmen Chairman Paul Healey abstained from the vote.

Town Counsel Kevin Feeley will be charged with finding the hearing officer by the board’s next meeting. Feeley will also work on a letter of charges with Police Chief Glenn Olsson.

Once the hearing is complete, the hearing officer will report back to the selectmen, who will have seven days to act on any recommendations for discipline if necessary.

The hearing and charges will not be made public and will take place in executive session.

In December, Hingham Police Sgt. Kris Phillips was indicted and charged with witness intimidation by misleading a police officer, perjury, and two counts of filing a false insurance claim.

According to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office, Phillips was working a police detail at the Hingham Shipyard retail complex when he alleged that he was struck and sustained significant injuries by a person backing a car out of a parking spot.

A police investigation revealed that Phillips’ claim of being struck and the manner of the incident were fabricated. Today’s indictments allege that Phillips misled Hingham officers responding to the accident and filed false reports of injuries as a result of the alleged accident and fraudulently received health insurance coverage for treatment from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

He was additionally indicted on a perjury charge for his false application for job benefits submitted to the Gowrie Claims Group.