Hopkinton resident James Scanlon has created an online petition urging the Select Board to reinstate Sergeant Tim Brennan to active duty.
“Tim Brennan is a great cop, and has served our town with honor and integrity,” said Scanlon. “It’s a shame that he has been sidelined for this long. We need experienced leaders protecting our town. I respectfully ask my fellow residents to sign this petition.”
>> RELATED: READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE PETITION
The petition reads:
We, the citizens of Hopkinton, urge the Hopkinton Select Board to return Sergeant Timothy Brennan to active duty immediately. Sgt. Brennan has served the town of Hopkinton for 24 years, and in that time has conducted himself with bravery, professionalism and courtesy.
While it is unfortunate that Sgt. Brennan was caught up in the actions of former Deputy Chief Porter, we feel that the seven months of administrative leave Sgt. Brennan has endured is sufficient punishment. Sgt. Brennan has publicly admitted to his violation of departmental policies and has expressed regret.
We also recognize that if the Select Board chooses to terminate Sgt. Brennan, not only will that action be without precedent in Hopkinton, it could have significant financial consequences for Sgt. Brennan personally by putting his hard-earned pension at risk, and also for the Town, by exposing us to a potential wrongful termination lawsuit.
Much of our police force is young and inexperienced. The Select Board must return Sgt. Tim Brennan to his position, to provide stable leadership and mentorship to our younger officers, and to continue to ensure Hopkinton’s public safety.
Sgt. Brennan has been on administrative leave since May for violating Hopkinton Police department policies. A public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 16.
Please consider signing. Thank you.
I did!
I’ve known Tim Brennan personally and professionally through our work at Bentley College for well over 30 years. I know him to be one of the most caring and honest individuals that works in law enforcement. He is a credit to his department and the community he serves. He should be reinstated to his Sergeant position in the Hopkinton Police Department.
Hi Neighbors,
Based on my personal experience Tim is a man of honor and integrity, as is the rest of his family. The Brennan’s continue to make Hopkinton and our community a better place to live. I encourage others to share their thoughts.
My family and I fully support Tim Brennan and stand in solidarity with him seeking reinstatement. Sgt. Brennan has publicly admitted his violation of departmental policies, expressing sincere regret. It’s unfortunate that the public hearing has been delayed for so long, disrespecting both The Brennan Family and our community’s trust. We will be there at the hearing to show our support and advocate for Sgt. Brennan’s reinstatement to the police force.
As a long time Hopkinton resident I fully agree with all the letters supporting officer Brennan’s reinstatement to the police force .
J,S
By writing on my brother Sgt. Tim Brennan’s behalf, I am joining countless others who are seeking his return to active duty asap. Based on the fact that he is not charged with a crime, and has ‘served his time’ over the past 7 or so months by being on administrative leave and having his name associated with the horrible crimes committed by Porter, as well as the public embarrassment he and his family have had to endure.
Tim has been a loyal public servant and has a 24 year unblemished record to back him up, as well as all of the comments and letters written washing for his return, and stating what an asset he is to the town. He has not committed a crime, as his superior has, but he did violate policy in an attempt to protect the victim, rather than report her allegations to that very perpetrator! He protected her, as a police officer is expected to do. How could he report the alleged incidences to his direct superior…the perpetrator? It is completely understandable why he went directly to the DA; he knew the victim feared for her safety; shamefully her fear was directed at a public servant whose job it was to protect a vulnerable, young woman who was no more than a young girl at the time of the first incident of sexually assault. Many others have written on Tim’s behalf, identifying the many positive qualities he possesses and which he has shared in countless roles within the town. I believe he has proven himself to be a trustworthy, loyal public servant whose job it is to protect others, which he takes very seriously. He has made it clear that he wishes to return to his job and continue protecting his community. It is time to end this attempt to make him the scapegoat for the actions of his superior(s); he has been railroaded and had his good name slandered and dragged through the mud. Terminating him would be a shameful, egregious act, and will leave not only an open position within the HPD, whose senior leadership should be investigated as rigorously as Tim has been, but will be detrimental to the community who will lose an officer who has proven his dedication to his community.