When Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick was formally appointed to head the Lawrence Police Department, we were very pleased to have him as a chief, confident that he would be able to straighten out the department where the former chief’s only interest was to please the media with good news, covering up for friends and acquaintances.
The case of Lt. Daniel Fleming, the officer in charge of the day shift who abandons his post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to teach a course on Criminal Justice at Northern Essex Community College, leaving his command unattended for a couple of hours. We have denounced it several times, still no action from the chief.
James O’Donoghue in his article, “How to make a better city: Start with the Police,” reminds our readers about the actions of Officer John F. Tully. You can read it on pages 6 in English.
On Saturday, December 3, the outraged family of Lee Viloria Paulino held a press conference to tell a different story of what Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera and Chief James Fitzpatrick have said in a press conference held in front of the Lawrence Police Station the day before (Friday, December 2). Read “The plight of Lee Viloria’s family” in “From my Corner”.
At the press conference, Chief Fitzpatrick read from a written statement, “At approximately 2:45PM, Lawrence Police was called to the riverbank at McCabe Court. Upon arrival, units discovered a body. The Lawrence Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detectives are working to identify the body and cause of death. We believe this is an isolated incident and that the community is safe.”
At that point, Rumbo questioned Chief Fitzpatrick about a flyer with the picture of a missing dog, pasted to the Police Department’s front door and asked him if at any time, he had a flyer with the picture of the missing boy attached to the other door. He answered, “Yes, we did!”
Well, the next day at the family’s press conference, Ivelisse Cornielle, grandmother of Lee Viloria Paulino categorically denied that. “As a matter of fact, we gave a flyer to Detective Jay Heggarty when he finally came to visit us and he left it on the sofa. He didn’t even take it!” she said.
As if this week has not been stressful enough, you can read under “Attitudes must change” on page 16 about a mother that desperately went to the Lawrence Police station Tuesday night, December 6, to denounce a text message received by her son. He was threatened with death if he didn’t comply and was told by the front desk officer that “Somebody will take care of that tomorrow.” You may have expected a little sensitivity from members of the police department.
Considering all these facts, it is our opinion that Chief Fitzpatrick is incapable to control, direct and restrict the officers under his command, and on top of that, he lies publicly about the efforts to find the missing boy.
For that reason we demand from Mayor Daniel Rivera to demote Chief Fitzpatrick from his post and bring a replacement capable to do what he demonstrated being incapable to do.
It is really painful to come to this conclusion when, at the beginning, Rumbo had great expectations of James Fitzpatrick, but the city deserves better.
