Arlington police lieutenant put on leave for writing he wants to combat violence with more violence

By adamg on Tue., 10/30/2018 - 12:35 pm

UPDATED, 2:55 p.m.

A police lieutenant who used a column in the Massachusetts Police Association's newsletters to criticize Colin Kaerpenick and other police critics and who said it was time to unleash police to use violence against violent criminals, has been relieved of duty, at least temporarily.

Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Police Chief Frederick Ryan said in a statement that that have put Lt. Rick Pedrini - who will soon become the Massachusetts Police Association's executive director - for his columns. Ryan said:

The columns written by Mr. Pedrini in the Sentinel newsletter directly contradict the values, morals and mission statement of the Arlington Police Department. Such remarks risk eroding the public trust that municipal police departments in Massachusetts have worked so hard to build in recent years. I disavow the remarks in the strongest possible terms, and this matter will be dealt with swiftly and certainly.

Chapdelaine added:

I am deeply disturbed by the apparent disregard for human life and for the duty of a police officer shown by Richard Pedrini in the Massachusetts Police Association newsletter. These comments do not represent the mission and values of the Arlington Police Department or the Town of Arlington. The sentiment raised by these comments is disturbing. The Town is taking these comments very seriously, and we will thoroughly investigate this matter.

WBUR reports that after news broke publicly about his columns, Pedriini said his the comments were "satire" never meant for the public to see.

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Comments

Well the "...never intended

By lisar
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 3:08pm

Well the "...never intended for wider consumption" part of that statement is probably true.

It's always the same story

By Jay
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 3:24pm

It's always the same story with these guys. Using a trade publication to broadcast their hate and bigotry under the guise of humor and pretend it's really not supposed to be read by the very targets of their hatred or the public at large.

Also, asking companies to explain their position in relation to the content of the publications where they buy advertising is the right thing to do.

Schroedinger's Asshole

By Scratchie
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 4:19pm

Says something terrible and then, depending on the reaction, decides whether he was "joking" or not.

Meanwhile

By tmrozzie
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 1:11pm

The Boston Police Patrolmen's Union endorsed a domestic abuser, so I guess beating your wife isn't so bad as believing black lives matter.

The mean streets of Arlington

By anon
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 1:19pm

Just got a lot meaner. Dirty Harry actually believes that Arlington is Gotham city.

This guy shoiuld not be carrying a gun.

By anon
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 1:30pm

n/t

Not only should this guy not be carrying a gun, but

By mplo
Wed, 10/31/2018 - 9:17am

He doesn't belong a cop....or in law enforcement, period.!

Does he believe

By Will LaTulippe
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 1:32pm

That he should be allowed to openly carry firearms to the exclusion of everyone else?

WHY? BECAUSE THEY SAID SO.....

By anon
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 2:24pm

"Suitability" standards in MA, which fly in the face of SCotUS rulings & the 14th amendment, say yes.

This is also why cops with disqualifying convictions for drunk driving, domestic abuse, and assault are on the job with guns (carry on the badge). Anyone else would be prohibited by federal or state law disqualifications.

I, for one, appreciate the MPA taking this opportunity...

By Bob Leponge
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 1:36pm

... to let us know clearly who they are and what they stand for.

Bullies and thugs

By anon
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 1:41pm

Classic "only joking" bullshit suitable for after gym class wedgies.

Let him speak for the Lt.

By AMCoffee
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 1:46pm

Here you go Lt. Pedrini...

Just Kidding Fred Armisen GIF from Justkidding GIFs

Yikes

By HolyMolyCodPiece
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 2:41pm

Kaboodle, he said whaaaaht?

Original post updated

By adamg
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 3:00pm

Arlington has put him on paid leave while the town administrator and police chief investigate.

you uh

By blues_lead
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 4:38pm

might want to have your team of copy-editors recheck the update

The kind of "jokes"

By Coyote137
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 3:24pm

a person is drawn to tells us a lot about who they are. Of course, there are also a lot of cowards who hide behind the lie that they were "only joking."

People should be exterminated! Get it! HAHA!

No wonder why 99% of

By Kinopio
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 5:01pm

No wonder why 99% of successful comedians are liberal.

Daily Show competition

By tachometer
Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:39pm

They tried to run a conservative counterpoint to The Daily Show at one point.

The 1/2 Hour News Hour was about as painful as you'd expect and had a short life.

Fact check

By capecoddah
Wed, 10/31/2018 - 8:28am

I do not think I have ever relied on the Guinness Book for a fact before, but according to them, the most successful comedian in the universe is not only conservative, but also a bit to the right of President Donald J Trump.

Logic check

By Bob Leponge
Wed, 10/31/2018 - 8:53am

"The most successful comedian is conservative" neither supports nor refutes the claim that "99% of comedians are liberal"

In related news, "Yao Ming is 7 feet 6 inches tall" neither supports nor refutes the claim that, "On average, Norwegians are taller than Chinese people"

Off the bat

By capecoddah
Wed, 10/31/2018 - 2:28pm

Right off the bat we narrowed the focus to successful comedians... not all comedians.

"On average, Norwegians are taller than Chinese people"

In this argument, that statement would have to fall in line with something like: "On average, tall Norwegians are taller than tall Chinese people"