City officials mull review of Holyoke Police Department
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Published: 4/25/2021 11:43:08 AM
HOLYOKE — The City Council’s Public Safety Committee is considering the possibility of an audit of the Holyoke Police Department’s structure, policies and practices.
That was the topic of conversation when the committee met last Wednesday to discuss the idea of a police department assessment from Holyoke Community College criminal justice professor Nicole Hendricks, Police Chief Manny Febo and residents who had served on former mayor Alex Morse’s stalled Civilian Review Committee.
The incident that sparked Wednesday’s conversation, though not mentioned directly, was a viral video that HPD patrolman Rafael Roca posted on social media last month in which he levied allegations of corruption, misbehavior and discrimination within the department. At-large City Councilor Rebecca Lisi referenced the allegations indirectly after noting that the department is in transition; Febo is retiring and Police Capt. David Pratt is soon taking over as chief.