Canton Police Det. Kevin Albert obtained three eight-hour unpaid shifts as self-discipline after an impartial investigative report discovered he drank on the job, conduct deemed “unbecoming an officer,” whereas engaged on a chilly case.
Police Chief Helena Rafferty shared the report, performed by Legal professional Terence M. Delehanty, and the small print of Albert’s self-discipline, imposed on him earlier this month, on Monday.
Rafferty positioned the detective, who earned $176,387.91 in whole pay final 12 months, on paid administrative go away the day after embattled Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor testified within the Karen Learn homicide trial, in June.
Textual content messages, offered at trial by Learn’s protection legal professional Alan Jackson, revealed Proctor and Albert have been working collectively on a “cold case,” and the 2 went out for drinks after an interview into the case on Cape Cod in July 2022.
The textual content change included Albert asking if he had left his badge and gun in Proctor’s cruiser.
Delehanty’s investigation discovered Albert had left simply his badge within the cruiser, which he retrieved the morning after and earlier than he reported to work, which Delehanty indicated was not a violation of division coverage.
After the interview in Sandwich, Proctor and Albert stopped on the native Tree Home Brewing Firm, Delehanty’s report states.
There, Albert allegedly ordered two alcoholic drinks he consumed on website that value $34. The detective additionally reportedly bought 4 to 5 four-packs of IPAs.
Proctor and Albert then drove to Flanders Area, a restaurant that has since closed in Hanover, the place Albert ordered an appetizer, entree and two alcoholic drinks for $68.71, Delehanty’s report states.
In an inside interview over the summer time, “Albert did not recall ordering a beer but stated it was certainly possible. He also stated that he would take full responsibility for ordering one to two beers.”
Per Canton Police coverage, “officers shall not posses and/or use alcohol on duty other than in an authorized duty capacity.” As well as, “Officers shall conduct themselves at all times, both on and off duty, in such a manner as to reflect most favorably on the department and its members.”
“The evidence reviewed and examined certainly indicates that Albert ordered and drank two beers at dinner,” Delehanty’s report states. “The violation was improper and reflected unfavorably on Albert, members of the Canton Police Department and the Canton Police Department.”
Albert reportedly “did not request reimbursement from the Town of Canton for the dinner.”
Delehanty discovered “no evidence suggesting that Albert was under the influence of alcohol to the extent that would violate the Canton Police Department’s rules regarding criminal conduct.”
The investigation additionally seemed into an image Albert texted Proctor the morning after with the message, “It’s bad!!! I was hungover for sure today!!!”
“Albert clarified that his text message … referred to his overall fatigue from working a 16-hour shift the previous day,” Delehanty’s report states, “consuming drinks at the Treehouse and Flanders Field after the interview, and consuming additional drinks at home.”
Proctor was pulled off obligation the day the Learn homicide trial led to a mistrial and later suspended with out pay.
The Canton Police Division recused itself from the investigation because of the Albert brothers’ connection to the case, however Proctor testified Kevin Albert helped coordinate sure interviews.
