On February 27, HopNews requested 13 months of Hopkinton Police vehicle GPS data, which was denied as the department doesn't log such information. Officers confirmed the systems were disabled. In contrast, the Fire Department's GPS is operational. The police GPS's inoperability affects emergency response efficiency, officer accountability, and public safety. The issue will be addressed by the Select Board. Restoring GPS is vital for safety and trust in the police force.

Hopkinton PD's zany week: A missing wife turns up at the library (Spoiler: she wasn't 'booked' for anything), a smoke scare turned out to be a dryer's steamy performance, and a suspicious car saga concluded with an Amazon package pass-off. Seatbelt squabbles and evasive deer in the aqua-abyss also kept the officers on their toes!

During the Hopkinton Select Board's mid-year review, Chair Muriel Kramer detailed Chief Joseph Bennett's failures, including hiring issues, no body cams, an absent drug policy, and alleged insubordination. The Board delayed their review to March 12, but the subsequent agenda omitted it, focusing on other matters, frustrating local residents who openly criticized Bennett's self-assessment.

Residents Gayle and Scott Ober criticized Chief Joe Bennett's mid-year self-review for lacking substance and specificity. They detailed that his self-assessment failed to provide tangible evidence of accomplishments or meaningful progress in important areas such as community outreach and officer recruitment. The Obers accused Bennett and the Select Board of using vague claims and trivial matters to mask inactivity and a lack of proactive policing in Hopkinton. They pointed out violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and a toxic work culture, expressing distrust in the Board's oversight and asking for accountability.

The Hopkinton Select Board announced it won't act against Police Chief Joseph Bennett until the Northwestern District Attorney’s report in May, respecting its request to avoid interfering with the ongoing investigation. Despite public pressure, the statement didn't preclude Bennett's continuance as the First Assistant District Attorney Gagne confirmed the statement's validity.

The Hopkinton Select Board held an Executive Session to discuss Police Chief Joseph Bennett's employment after facing criticism over his performance and handling of sensitive information. Despite recent issues, former officer Pat O'Brien defended Bennett, citing his role in the upcoming Boston Marathon security and suggesting others may also be culpable. Issues like understaffed leadership positions and lack of a succession plan were raised. Timothy Boivin, a Hopkinton resident, criticizes Bennett for poor leadership and supports the Select Board’s potential decision to suspend him.

Residents voiced longstanding grievances against Police Chief Joseph Bennett during the Hopkinton Select Board meeting. A pivotal moment came from ex-officer Pat O'Brien, who highlighted Bennett's critical role in the upcoming Boston Marathon security. Post-performance review, discussions ensued about possibly placing Bennett on leave, but the board ultimately took no action.

On March 6, the Hopkinton Select Board will convene in private to consider Police Chief Joseph Bennett's administrative leave after a critical review by Chair Muriel Kramer. Issues cited include weak internal promotion strategy and improper information disclosure, sparking a DA investigation. The decision, amidst public scrutiny and internal disapproval, promises to be contentious.

Hopkinton's had a wild week! Three were cuffed for tipsy driving, a duet of car mishaps escaped injury's clutches, and Mother Nature flexed her muscles with breezy chaos. Meanwhile, our boys in blue played fetch with everything from food to soccer rocks while fielding calls about party stakeouts, lost pooches, and one surprise basement critter. Watch out for airborne trash cans!

During the Hopkinton Select Board meeting, Muriel Kramer critiqued Police Chief Joseph Bennett for not hiring for vacant positions, faltering progress on drug testing and body camera implementation, and concealing a no-confidence letter from sergeants. The sergeants’ letter expressed frustrations over stalled promotions and increasing responsibilities without advancement, ultimately warning of potential departmental exodus.

Timothy Boivin expresses gratitude to Select Board Chair Muriel Kramer for courageously highlighting Chief Bennett’s numerous performance issues, and Boivin supports her call for an independent investigation. He suggests the National Guard manage the police department until new leadership is established, and commends Kramer for her integrity and support of the survivor.

In a tense Select Board meeting, Chair Muriel Kramer delivered a critical mid-year review of Police Chief Joseph Bennett, citing leadership failures and broken promises. Amidst public calls for his suspension tied to a violation of Massachusetts General Law, Kramer highlighted issues such as an absent succession plan and scheduling delays for police accreditation. The Board exposed Bennett's noncompliance with reporting standards amidst an ongoing DA investigation. Though divided on the approach, no immediate action was taken, but Bennett was given until March 12 to respond to the criticisms.