Report rips top cops, who call it work of disgruntled few

By Dennis Shaughnessey, Lowell Sun

DRACUT — A scathing report from the union representing police accuses management of continual unfair labor practices and perpetuating an “atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

But top police brass say the report represents the views of a disgruntled few, and distorts the truth.

The New England Police Benevolent Association Local 4 prepared the 60-page report, which Selectman James O’Loughlin calls “stinging.”

“Some of the accusations (in the report) strike right at the heart of management and I’d be interested in knowing how widespread it is, because the message that is being conveyed here is that there is a level of frustration in that department unlike anything I’ve seen in my 17 years on the board,” said O’Loughlin, who serves on the town’s Public Safety Subcommittee.

In a letter to the selectmen, NEPBA Executive Director Jerry Flynn said Chief Kevin Richardson remains indifferent, while Deputy Chief David Chartrand runs roughshod over the membership.

Perhaps the most damning accusation involves Chartrand while off-duty, in a downtown Lowell restaurant a year ago.

“I have personally observed his aggressive and threatening behavior while he was under the influence in an establishment within the city of Lowell,” Flynn writes. “Although this unprovoked attack by Deputy Chartrand was witnessed by many patrons, his rage was a direct result of my union representation.”

Chartrand disputed the account. He said Flynn was inebriated that night, and has turned the incident 180 degrees.

“He should really take a good look in the mirror and examine his own conduct that night,” Chartrand said. “If he can even remember that night.”

Flynn could not be reached for comment. He wrote that he wants selectmen to investigate the situation thoroughly. He adds that the about 100 NEPBA union locals have filed fewer than 20 grievances, total, in the same period.

Among the union allegations:

* Management tried to buy back compensatory time at a rate lower than the negotiated collective bargaining agreement.

* Management refused to recognize John Cotnoir as union president.

* Cotnoir was denied time off after the birth of his daughter in 2008.

* Sgt. Jonathan Seamans was denied the use of his accumulated sick time.

* Several times, Chartrand allegedly became confrontational with Cotnoir.

* Cotnoir said that on Dec. 11, 2006, Richardson called him, “sounded intoxicated,” became “increasingly hostile” and threatened to physically assault a member of the force.

Richardson declined comment to The Sun about the alleged incident.

“I’m not even going to address that,” he said. He adds that many of the grievances in the report were resolved before going to arbitration.

“We’re management. They’re the union,” said Richardson, who joined the force as a patrolman in 1985 and was appointed chief in 2005. “There are times when the two parties disagree. Most of the time we work it out. I believe that when changes are in order, they’ve been done according to proper procedure and the proper channels. The union has been given the opportunity to make their feelings known during every step in the process. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, we’re just trying to steer the ship in the right direction.”

Chartrand said the problem can be traced back to a very few members within the department who are not happy and do not like being told what to do.

“For years, it was a situation where the tail was wagging the dog,” he said. “All we are trying to do is provide the taxpayers with the very best police department that is possible given the limited resources we have to work with. This is a great job. I want every member of this department to love this job as much as I do.”

Richardson said many cops had no knowledge of the report. When made aware of its existence, they had a difficult time obtaining a copy, Richardson said.

“I’ve been approached by numerous members of the department who were very upset with the report and don’t agree with it,” Richardson said.

Selectmen Chairman Robert Cox, whose son is a Dracut police officer, calls the report is “unfortunate.” He said he is concerned that some of the narratives in the report are personal.

“I understand the brotherhood and all that and the union may have some valid points, but I trust (Richardson and Chartrand) to do the right thing with the best interest of the department at heart,” Cox said. “They have a job to do. Have they ruffled some feathers? Probably.”