The Entire Blandford Police Department Resigns

The entire Blandford Police Department quit the force on Monday due to “unsafe working conditions.” 

Its four officer department signed a statement regarding their resignation. Selectman Eric McVey established the resignation by Interim Police Chief Roberta Sarnacki, Chris Anciello, Gage Kerlik, and Krysten Scapin. McVey also confirmed that Blandford will work with neighboring departments to ensure residents’ safety. 

If residents need to contact the police, they can call 911 and state troopers will respond. 

BLANDFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES THEIR RESIGNATION STATEMENT

The resignation letter included the following,

For some time we have been dealing with unsafe working conditions. Policing is inherently dangerous, however it has been made much (more) so by our town’s administration….To summarize, the town is asking officers to patrol in cars that have no a/c (air conditioning), no snow tires, and no four-wheel drive…They are asking us to do this with no radio coverage, no real backup if needed, and all for $14 or $15 an hour. Would you put your lives on the line in these conditions?”

Hampden Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi will be sending six deputy sheriffs to Blandford to make up for the lack of police presence. He comments, 

I cannot allow one of our communities to have the appearance that the town will go unprotected. My team will stay in place throughout the night and we will reassess with the town of Blandford’s select board on their needs in the morning.”

THE TOWN DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT

Because the shooting in Falmouth left two officers wounded, and other incidents that caused the death of officers, it made the police department question their safety. They told the town that the police cannot work without proper equipment and extra protection. One officer said, 

We regret leaving the town without a town police force, but we have no choice given the situation we face. We refuse to put our lives on the line anymore for a town that seemingly cares so little about us.”

Officers have had to respond to calls with their personal vehicles since the departments “best” car is a used 2010 Crown Victoria with no air conditioning which seats permanently fixed in a reclined position. Radios became an issue too since some parts of town do not provide a signal. In addition, the department’s bulletproof vests have been passed down from previous officers and don’t even fit the current staff now. 

Featured Image via/Blandford Police