Selectmen Consider Breen’s Charges.
Malfeasance in Office Among the Accusations. Large Crowd Stays Till After Midnight.
Although the sessions began in the daytime, the hearing by the selectmen yesterday on charges of malfeasance In office brought by ex-policeman William C. Breen against Chief of Police Fred S. Sackett of Norwood attracted a crowd which filled Village Hall until past midnight.
There were 11 charges, accusing Sackett of conduct unbecoming an officer and gentlemen, of using profane and improper language, of clubbing a man over the head, and of encouraging the illegal sale of liquor. The affair is the culmination of a long controversy in the police department, in which one officer has been suspended, another officer is under charges, and In which the entire force is in a state of demoralization, has stirred up much interest in town.
The case was bitterly contested by the lawyers on either side. Both complainant and defendant summoned a great many Witnesses. The. first witness called was Officer Thomas Holman, who testified as to one Prank Verra, whose place officer Breen, then out of office, raided without authority from the chief. It was claimed in the complaint that Chief Sackett had attempted to shield this man, though complaints of his maintaining a liquor nuisance came in from all sides.
Mr Holman, who is a regular patrolman, said he was sent up one Sunday in the latter part of August last to watch Vena’s place, and while there was asked by Constable Breen to assist in raiding the place. Breen subsequently got a warrant, and the place was raided. Mr Holman was rigidly cross-examined and denied that he had any ill-feeling against Chief Sackett. He had said that he would have nothing to do with signing a complaint In the case. Officer Holman testified that he carried a revolver which did not contain blank cartridges. He had been ordered by the chief to shoot at automobilists who did not stop their machines when requested to do so. The witness said Chief Sackett had been vigorous in prosecuting other liquor cases and had once convicted Vena, who was fined.
Walter S. Bagley, a special officer, testified that he had also heard the chief use profane language to one of his officers.
The complainant, William C. Breen, testified as to the complaint. He declared that he had made the raid in the Vena case as a citizen and a constable, and because the man was conducting an out and out liquor nuisance. He claimed that Chief Sackett was anxious to keep Vena from being prosecuted and only sent officers up to the place which he said was an Italian camp for the boarding of sewer laborers for the purpose of keeping away or arresting drunken men, and not with any intention of prosecuting Vena. He also testified to Instances in which Chief Sackett had used profane language.
Mr Breen admitted that he had been discharged from the force on charges brought by Chief Sackett. Officer Walter S. Readel testified as to an assault made by the chief on a man named Vida, whom Readel was trying to arrest. The occasion was a Polish or Lettish wedding, at which Vida tried to resist the officers. The chief struck the man, said Readel, over the head With a stick. Special officers J. Harry Corbett and Henry N. Fales testified as to the chief’s orders to throw clubs at automobiles or shoot at them If they did not stop when called upon. Officer Fales said he had fired three times on one occasion at an automobile and had used blank cartridges.
A large crowd attended the evening session, which w.is concluded at 12:30 this morning. The selectmen reserved their decision.