Melrose Traffic Sign Investigation Is An External One

MELROSE, MA — The investigation into the police traffic sign that included the phrase "All Lives Matter" is being conducted by an outside attorney, not the police.

City Solicitor Robert Van Campen told Patch his office is overseeing the external review, which is being conducted by Jay Sullivan of Cambridge law firm Sullivan & Reed — "an outside, neutral investigator in order to ensure a comprehensive, complete and impartial investigation," Van Campen said.

The investigation is still ongoing.

The investigation's findings "that may lawfully be made publicly available will be," Van Campen said in an email Tuesday.

It's not entirely clear what the investigation looks like, but Van Campen said it will be thorough.

"The goal here is to conduct as methodical a review as possible," he said.

A member of the police department involved in traffic told Chief Mike Lyle he had no malice or political intent when earlier this month he set up an electronic sign on Main Street to read "The Safety Of All Lives Matter."

Lyle said in a statement he launched an investigation into the "improper and unfortunate" sign, the findings of which would be made public.

Lyle's preliminary review has been completed, but the findings not yet made public. Van Campen decided to bring in Sullivan "to ensure a comprehensive, methodical and impartial review."

Related:

• Officer Said 'All Lives Matter' Sign Was Without Intent: Chief
• Residents Have Message Of Their Own In Responding To Police Sign
• Things Get Uglier For Melrose, Brodeur After National Attention