Tewksbury Selectmen Praise Police But Reject Resolution

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Tewksbury selectmen rejected a proposed resolution in support of the town's police department, recently, though the selectmen praised the department.

The Tewksbury Republican Town Committee submitted the draft resolution, which cited recent protests across the country as a reason to assert that the board stands in solidarity with the department.

The proposed resolution is available at the bottom of the article.

"I unequivocally, cannot say enough, how much I fully support Tewksbury's finest," Chairman Jay Kelly said at the board's Sept. 29 meeting. "I don't need to sign a document to show my support for the police."

The other board members agreed, noting that they also support the fire department, public works, the library and other town departments.

"If we say something now it's like we haven't in the past," board member Jayne Wellman said. "We do show tremendous support, and we have a legacy of showing tremendous support for our police officers."

The board also congratulated Tewksbury police Lieutenant Thomas Casey on his retirement after more than two decades on the force.

The Republican Town Committee criticized the Board for their decision to not pass the resolution, in a news release following the meeting.

"The TRTC is very disappointed by the actions of the Board of Selectmen. Police officers are under attack across the nation – it is not DPW workers or Librarians being targeted in the streets," the Committee wrote. "It is our police that needs a show of support now more than ever."

New Tewksbury Chief Ryan Columbus told Patch in June that his department has received strong public support since the protests began in May, including a pro-police "Back The Blue" protest in town.

Draft resolution:

~Resolution Supporting Our Police Department~

WHEREAS, it is recognized that in recent months we have seen protests against police around the country; and

WHEREAS, as a result, recent legislation is aimed at sweeping police reform, including defunding police departments and taking away qualified immunity from our police officers; and

WHEREAS, the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen has witnessed our police officers perform with the highest level of professionalism in the last several months, as Massachusetts suffered through a pandemic, civil unrest and economic shutdown; and

WHEREAS, it is recognized by the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen that our officers have always been sensitive to issues of fairness and justice and have responded with care and compassion to all members of our community;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen’s support for the men and women who serve this town in the police force is unwavering; and

BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen stand with our police department in solidarity.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com