Marblehead police chief addresses conduct of officers

MARBLEHEAD – Police Chief Robert Picariello has acted on the selectmen’s request that he address the issue of police officer conduct.On Feb. 24 selectmen asked the police chief to address that issue after reading Town Administrator Tony Sasso’s report on the conduct of Police Sgt. Marion Keating.One of the findings of that report indicated that the use of profanity is common among Marblehead police.Wednesday evening Picariello appeared before the board to report on several matters. First on the list was police language and sexual harassment."The board directed me to address the issue of improper language," he said. "That message went out loud and clear."The chief said he and Police Capt. Mark Mills were in the process of speaking to every member of the department to make sure that the town’s sexual harassment policy is "adhered to, to the letter.""I think the department gets the message," he said."People will be happy to hear that," said Selectmen Chairman Jackie Belf-Becker."I applaud you for doing that," said Selectman Judy Jacobi, one of the board members who expressed concern about the issue Feb. 24. "When you do treat each other with respect you get the most out of each other."At the chief’s urging selectmen also approved an agreement with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, allowing the town to be part of a new Registry database which will update the town electronically on driver’s license information – suspensions, for example – on every town employee, sometimes before the employees are notified.The database ensures that every employee driving a town motor vehicle will have a valid driver’s license.