Selectmen Toss Out Complaint Against Brookline Police Officer

Selectmen tossed out a complaint against a Brookline officer this week after a brief closed-door meeting and only a few vague public comments about the dispute.

Though the Brookline Police Department's citizen complaint process typically requires that all appeal hearings be held in open session in accord with the state's Open Meeting Law, Selectwoman Betsy DeWitt said the "private family dispute" at the heart of the complaint warranted a closed-door meeting. Under the law, government bodies can meet in executive session when considering certain exempted matters.

After meeting briefly with the complainant, Edward Brennan, the accused officer, Sean Williams, and their lawyers, the board voted unanimously to dismiss the complaint.

"It is very clear to me that there is no connection between this personal situation and Officer Williams' ability to do his job," said Selectwoman Jesse Mermell. "I see no reason for us to take any action in this case."

Selectmen did not describe the complaint in detail, but several board members made vague references to divorce, foreclosure and child custody.

"The root of this is a family dispute," said Selectmen Dick Benka. "The issues are really outside the scope of Officer Williams' performance as a police officer."