Police Chief Condemns Racist Threats Against Brookline Official

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline's acting police chief Monday condemned racist threats lobbed at a Brookline Select Board member, that also mentioned support for the department.

"I have the utmost respect for my officers and feel that I can speak for all of us when I say that we reject support from individuals who demonstrate threats or hateful speech," Acting Chief of Police Mark Morgan said in a statement. "Our entire Department has completed the Anti-Defamation League’s Hate Crimes Training and our officers are well aware of the adverse impacts of hateful messaging and conduct."

In the days following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, with images of a mob of Trump and white supremacy supporters breaking into the U.S. Capitol still raw, Select Board members took turns condemning the rioting. One asking aloud what to do if it turns out that any Brookline Police officers took part, and another calling on residents to no longer allow the type of racism and intolerance that the Trump flag has come to symbolize.

During his comments, which clocked five minutes at the Jan. 12 select board meeting, Brookline Select Board member Raul Fernandez turned his comments to local supporters of the former president.

"My concern is that we have supporters of the president here in our community and in our police force, or at least we did prior to Jan. 6," he said. "I hope that support has vanished in the wake of these events, particularly among law enforcement, because anyone who still supports Trump today and walks the beat with a badge and a gun is a clear and present danger to the rest of us. "

He went on to urge community members to help ensure that inclusive policy priorities are reflected in leadership.

During the following select board meeting, two police officers said Fernandez unfairly characterized Brookline police, saying just because some supported Trump did not equate them with white supremacy or racism.

"This kind of hatred for those with different opinions from your own is not what this country or this community is about," Police union president Michael Keaveney said.

Shortly after, as the Brookline TAB first reported, Fernandez received racist and threatening messages that also voiced support for police.

"I wholeheartedly repudiate this behavior and disavow support of the police by any individuals who engage in racist, threatening and criminal behavior," Morgan said in the statement.

Morgan said the Brookline Police Department has reached out to Fernandez and offered to investigate the harassment, "in an attempt to hold the senders of such threatening messages accountable."

It's not clear if Fernandez will take him up on that offer. Fernandez did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Fernandez is also a chair of a task force that is set to make recommendations to the town to re-envision police work in town, following the racial justice movement.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.