LYNN — The report of an internal investigation into a group of Lynn Police officers for drug use and racist statements has provoked strong responses from the community.
Mayor Thomas M. McGee condemned the alleged actions of the officers in a statement on Friday.
“As mayor, I have focused on building trust with the community and have been committed to having an accountable administration,” McGee said. “There is certainly more work to be done, including to eradicate systemic racism. Furthermore, I want to be clear that illegal behavior by employees will not be tolerated under my administration.”
The seven officers, who have not been identified, were placed on administrative leave after the Lynn Police Department received information indicating they had been involved in off-duty cocaine and steroid use.
According to the Essex County District Attorney’s office, the investigation began when Lynn Patrolman Joseph Plessas, 28, was arrested on December 3 in Salem on charges of assault and battery on a pregnant victim, domestic assault and battery, and threats. While those charges were dropped on April 12, the investigation revealed text messages with other officers discussing drug use, as well as a private conversation between two officers using racial slurs.
The DA’s office provided this information to the Lynn Police Department on April 13, prompting the internal investigation. Carrie Kimball, spokeswoman for the DA’s office, declined to comment further as the police department’s investigation is ongoing.
Plessas was hired by the department in 2019.
Darrell Murkison, former president of the local chapter of the NAACP and current secretary of the Community Minority Cultural Center in Lynn, said that he hoped to see an independent investigation into the allegations.
“We’ve been out all summer long protesting about these things, trying to bring about police reform, and the police maintain that they’re willing to work with us and many of these things are isolated incidents and it’s not an issue in Lynn,” Murkison said. “We beg to differ that it is an issue. They have been working with us, but they need to recognize that this is an issue in Lynn and it needs to be addressed.”
In an interview with the Item Thursday, Acting Chief Lenny Desmarais acknowledged the use of racial language between two of the officers in a private text conversation.
“However, in the course of our continuing investigation, we have not found anything concerning or intending violence against Black people,” Desmarais said.
The case is being investigated by the police department’s Professional Standards Division.
“At the conclusion of the investigation, where appropriate, the officers involved will be held accountable and action will be taken,” McGee said.
