City officials mull review of Holyoke Police Department
GAZETTE FILE PHOTO GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
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 departmen
Holyoke City Council addresses police practices, policies after corruption allegation
Updated 12:35 PM;
HOLYOKE – The City Council’s Public Safety Committee took up an order that supports examining the Police Department’s policies and practices.
City Councilors Rebecca Lisi, Gladys Lebron-Martinez and Juan Anderson-Burgos filed the order after a YouTube video posted by Police Officer Rafael Roca alleged widespread corruption within the Police Department. Roca was suspended from duty in early March.
The order stated, “In an effort to obtain neutral, fact-based data and statistics, the city contract an independent assessment of Holyoke Police Department’s structure, policies and practices.”
Ward 2 Councilor and Acting Mayor Terence Murphy, the committee’s chair, said his goal was to share as much public information and possible “to prove what we have and what has been working well” within the Police Department.
As Capitol Riot prosecution continues, some evidence sealed in Grafton County man’s case
Modified: 4/13/2021 9:40:22 PM
A federal judge has ordered attorneys to keep certain pieces of evidence confidential in the case against a Grafton County man and five other defendants who are facing charges in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Under the protective order, issued Monday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., by Judge Carl Nichols, attorneys are barred from sharing any discovery evidence that prosecutors deem “sensitive” or “highly sensitive” with anyone except fellow members of their legal team or the defendants.
As Capitol Riot prosecution continues, some evidence sealed in Grafton County man’s case
FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021 file photo, rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. People charged in the attack on the U.S. Capitol left behind a trove of videos and messages that have helped federal authorities build cases. In nearly half of the more than 200 federal cases stemming from the attack, authorities have cited evidence that an insurrectionist appeared to have been inspired by conspiracy theories or extremist ideologies, according to an. Julio Cortez
Published: 4/14/2021 1:31:22 PM
A federal judge has ordered attorneys to keep certain pieces of evidence confidential in the case against a Grafton County man and five other defendants who are facing charges in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Holyoke City Councilor Terence Murphy appointed acting mayor
Updated Apr 12, 2021;
Posted Apr 12, 2021
Ward 2 City Councilor Terence Murphy listens during an online meeting April 12, 2021, where he was elected acting mayor.
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HOLYOKE The City Council elected Ward 2 Councilor Terrence Murphy as acting mayor during a special meeting Monday night. Murphy will serve until the November mayoral election.
A recently passed home rule petition granted the City Council one-time authority to appoint any councilor as acting mayor.
City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee will swear in Murphy at City Hall Tuesday morning. Murphy won on the first ballot 8-5. All 13 councilors voted for Murphy during a symbolic second vote.