40 years ago this month, Fred Clay was arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. After 38 years behind bars, he’s telling his story and writing another chapter.
A CHICKEN FOR EVERY COP
The Western Mass police department that has hosted more than two-dozen events at Chick-fil-A
MAYOR CURTATONE’S COUSIN, A COP, WAS CAUGHT UP IN THE DRUG SCENE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. PEOPLE IN POWER KNEW, BUT NOBODY DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Capobianco was the department’s—and the city’s—worst-kept secret, and over the course of more than a decade, numerous officers informed SPD administrators about his addiction and dealing. Yet not a single person took action to address the issue.
CONSULTANTS TOLD STATE POLICE HOW TO AVOID TURMOIL. THE DEPARTMENT IGNORED THE ADVICE AND SPENT THE FOLLOWING DECADES SPIRALING TOWARD CORRUPTION.
From several dozen troopers facing criminal charges in an expansive payroll fiasco, to drunk-driving drill instructors and other one-offs, the follies continue.
TOO MANY COPS
Some thoughts about last Saturday’s counterprotest It’s Labor Day as I start this column and I don’t want to labor too much on it, but I think it’s important to reflect upon a particular aspect of Saturday’s counterprotest against an ultra right-wing “parade” that hasn’t gotten nearly as much press attention as it […]
THERE’S MUCH MORE TO THE MASS STATE POLICE SCANDAL THAN IS BEING REPORTED
After SPAM received the full payment, its then-treasurer told investigators that Pullman demanded a check for $250,000 for Lynch Associates, pounding the table and yelling “Stop breaking my f**cking balls and give me the check!” when the treasurer questioned him.
PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS REVEAL ARLINGTON’S BEHIND-THE-SCENES RESPONSE TO POLICE CONTROVERSY
Like in any donnybrook, there are countless angles and competing arguments in play. The documents that we obtained provide a much deeper insight into why certain decisions were made regarding developments including Pedrini’s employment and the town’s use of the restorative justice (RJ) process, which is traditionally designed as “a system that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the larger community.”
SPECIAL FEATURE: HAMPDEN COUNTY CORRECTIONAL CENTER’S PEPPER SPRAY PROBLEM
Use of force reports from the Hampden County Correctional Center reveal disproportionate use of chemical force against prisoners with psychiatric disabilities
SPECIAL FEATURE: RESTORATIVE RUCKUS
Arlington’s attempt to mitigate a police department controversy causes more distress for some concerned residents
AFTER THE EMPIRE
Could the Smollett situation affect public perception of hate crimes?
