Winchester Police Department Suspends Two Officers

After completing an internal investigation, the suspended two members of its police force for their actions on the night of Aug. 6, according to a press release.

The Boston Herald reported that on Aug. 6, the commuter rail pulled into Wedgemere Station, and the conductors requested help from the Winchester Police Department to break up a fight on the train.

Four Winchester officers responded to the station, but according to the Herald, the officers failed to board the train to deal with the situation.

According to a press release from the Winchester PD, the investigation showed that the initial responding officer acted in “an unprofessional and inflammatory manner and failed to provide assistance when it was needed.”

The release went on to state that the officer’s actions violated “the Winchester Police Department’s rules of conduct and do not reflect the standards of the Winchester Police Department.”

According to the Department, the officer in charge of the shift did not provide an “adequate police response” to the Wedgemere Train Station.

“We’re troubled by the response of the Winchester Police Department to the Wedgemere Train Station on the night of August 6,” Winchester police Lt. Peter MacDonnell told Winchester Patch at the time. “We’re particularly concerned that the officers apparently didn’t assist the conductors by boarding the train and addressing a disturbance on the train.”

A Sergeant and a patrol officer were suspended without pay for three days.

“The actions by both officers displayed a disregard for the safety of the crew and passengers on board,” the release said. “The Winchester Police Department understands that the public must be confident they will receive a proper response when police service is requested or needed.”

Click here to read the rest of the story in the Boston Herald.