A police officer in Massachusetts has resigned after he allegedly scratched a swastika into the paint of another officer’s personal vehicle.
Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello confirmed that Officer Timothy Tufts had left the department following an investigation.
Picariello said he had been made aware of the incident in mid-November. Tufts was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Tufts has now resigned from the department he joined in March 2016.
“I am dismayed and deeply disturbed by this incident,” Picariello said in a statement.
“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.
“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.”
Picariello added that he had been in contact with the Anti-Defamation League of New England to provide training and resources for every member of the police department.
The chief also said he would commission an independent administrative review and appoint an outside investigator to establish all the facts of the incident and include it in future training programs.
“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,” Picariello said.
The Marblehead Board of Selectmen, the town’s administrative body, said it was “deeply disturbed” by 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,” a statement said.
“There is simply no place for this kind of behavior within the Marblehead Police Department.
“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.”
A police car with ‘To serve and protect’ on its side in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A police officer in Massachusetts has resigned after he scratched a swastika into the paint of another officer’s personal car. Robert Alexander/Getty
