LETTER: A DA Endorsement

Politics and Fish: a certain odor.

Several weeks ago Jim Johnston wrote about our Town Administrators, both past and present, quite laudatory and I am in agreement with those assessments. However, what Jim only partly alluded to was the fact that four of our first five TAs were dismissed for political reasons. Simply, we had Councils that, in some cases, were unhappy that the TA was not as subservient to them as they felt their office entitled them to.

I was appointed Chief of Police by our first TA, J. Maynard Austin, a highly competent and professional gentleman that was setting the standard for future TAs. Sadly, his reluctance to compromise his office and ethics led to his ultimate dismissal. It pretty much went the same way for the next three TAs.  A Police Chief has a different relationship with most TAs that other department heads do not.

It's not that it is any closer or more personal, but the nature of police work and possible community impact can be very serious and of significant concern. To that end, at times cases and complaints may arise where certain aspects can be confidentially shared with the TA.  A “heads-up” courtesy.

Having somewhat closely worked with every TA, except the current one, Jamie Hellen, I can say they were all highly professional and gentlemen and never in my 20 years was there interference in our work or cases. I believe working with Mr. Hellen would also lead to that assessment. Indeed, the support the department received, and still receives, is why Franklin has been held up as one of the safest small cities in America. 

In a future letter I plan on elaborating on not only TAs but the many, many Councillors I had the pleasure (mostly) of working with and naming some of the more outstanding ones. Which brings me to today’s subject about politics and a certain fishy odor...

As you may know, there is a race for the office of District Attorney. After many years Mike Morrisey is retiring. I wrote about Mike a while ago. I said then, and I say today, the citizens of Norfolk County were well served by Mike and fortunate to have him.

Any citizen deciding to vote for the District Attorney, an office that impacts every community in the County, can easily form an opinion about the candidates by looking at the public record and candidate’s experience, but more importantly, in my opinion, by looking at the position their Chief and  County Chiefs of Police take and endorse, an organization I proudly served as president for ten years.  For they are the one entity that can put politics aside and offer their support to the candidate they believe will best serve and meet the needs of their communities; an individual they can work with and help keep our citizens safe.

This year the Norfolk County Chiefs of Police unanimously endorsed Greg Connor, a highly respected county prosecutor with an extensive history of courtroom accomplishments.

Chosen as “Prosecutor of the year” by the Commonwealth’s District Attorneys, two recent cases Greg prosecuted, include the Ana Walsh homicide in Cohasset and the killing of Sergeant Michael Chesna of the Weymouth Police Department, landmark trials and particularly significant convictions worthy of inquiry by the intelligent voter.

I write this, in support of Greg, although we have never met and only spoken twice, not only for his experience and Chief’s endorsement, but after reading a recent Globe article which failed to mention the endorsement or his significant accomplishments, although they were aware of them. That’s the fishy politics I  allude to that brings me to this forum. I suggest voters do some research, as I have, to make an informed decision. There’s a reason why three past District Attorneys retained Greg, and his professional accomplishments and ability earned the Chief’s support. Simply: he is the best candidate for the citizens of Norfolk County .

L.P. Benedetto

[Retired Franklin Chief of Police]