Dear Billy T and The Somerville Speakup Line,
I had the misfortune of sitting through Captain Dan Cotter’s testimony yesterday during Dante’s termination hearing at the Somerville Police Department. It was truly disgraceful. At this moment, I am embarrassed to have been a member of that police department for 26 years. I’m disgusted. The entire command staff should resign.
Captain Cotter should have gone to the retirement board during lunch and attempted to save his pension. A heads up Danny; you are not going to save your home in York Beach, Maine, from the men and women who are going to sue you personally in federal court.
Do your family a favor; save them the embarrassment and fall on your own sword; one thing I’m certain of is that you do not possess the courage to do that. You are not a man; nor have you ever been a cop; your father would disown you were he still alive. The members of the Board of Aldermen should march into the mayor’s office and demand that the termination hearing be ended now. The Mayor should issue a personal, written apology to Dante and his family; he should be returned to full duty, with back pay. Captain Cotter should be fired and prosecuted by the District Attorney’s office for perjury. These men are not, nor have they ever been leaders; they are a perversion of the term.
The courageous young men and women who protect the city everyday, will be far better off when the four of you are gone; you are all a disgrace to the badge I once wore. Remember this: we all leave a legacy for our children; a memory of who we were as men; I’m proud of what my father left me; I’m certain my sons will be proud of what I leave them. Your children will be ashamed to say you were their fathers.
Retired Lieutenant
Joseph E. McCain