DISQUS

methuen · 1 year ago

now you know how we the residents get treated

Just97 · 1 year ago

Police brutality on each other...can't imagine how citizens are treated...

Give me a break · 1 year ago

Sounds like someone trying to set up and win a big lawsuit.

Commentard · 1 year ago

I think Manzi is going to have to hire someone just to keep track of all the law suits against the town!
I should find something to sue about.

Uh? · 1 year ago

Chief Lavigne has been on the force for how long and chief for how long and she doesn't know what the relationship was between these two officers????? Why doesn't she know what's going on in her house???? Isn't that a large part of the job?????

Guido · 1 year ago

I am in total agreement with you.

396 · 1 year ago

MEET THE NEW BOSS SAME AS THE OLD BOSS. LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH NOW FIRE ALL THREE OF THEM FOR THE GOOD OF METHUEN. IN THAT CASE GET RID OF MANZI ALSO

1voice4all · 1 year ago

SO the shoe is on the other foot. Hey can I take part in the trainings.

Ill be the one to punch them all in the head.

Disgusted! · 1 year ago

OMG, what do you mean, Lavigne doesn't know what is happening? Everyone knows what a bully Phillips is. Even the Salem, NH police! He is a brutal at home and at work. Someone needs to do something before he is allowed to go too far! Forget the "Code" of protecting another officer, Phillips needs HELP!!!!

Taxpayer · 1 year ago

I called the station 1 day with a question about car seats and got put through to Phillips and he was so rough and gruff and answered my reasonable question with no respect or compassion for my concerns. When I hung up the phone I thanked my stars that I never met him in person!!!

atty sokolov · 1 year ago

OMG, what do you mean, Lavigne doesn't know what is happening? Everyone knows Solomon was the best man at Vallieries wedding.Everyone knows Solomons hearing is coming up to try and get his job backand Phillips is the #1 witness.Someone needs to do something about the thugs that remain in that department because they are definately trying to pay back the person who brought down their mealticket.

Sgt · 1 year ago

Woah.. He lives in Salem and works for Methuen??

This is the Chief's boy that testified against Solomon right?

omarmike · 1 year ago

All I had to do was read the title of this article, and then I said to myself, this must be Methuen. Yup, right again. If it is going to happen, it is going to happen in Methuen. Now that otta be the next punch line for a Mayor running for office. With a cesspool of a High school, new Post office, fantastic roads, and police officers beating themselves up, as well as public officials being fired, retired, sued........Yup only in Methuen................

Commentard · 1 year ago

heh. I did that too. Actually it was more like "Don't me Methuen.. Don't be Methuen.. Don't be Methuen" <click> "Awwwwww!!!!!"

God Not Again · 1 year ago

The reason it is Methuen again is because this is not a new independent issue..it is a continuation of the sick Solomon issue and the division it caused in the PD. Its a feeble attempt at a payback.

Methuen Home town girl.. · 1 year ago

I did the same as well!!! UGH!!!!

ThePrism · 1 year ago

same here...that CRINGE....

SLOWWWWWWWWWLLLY Clicking...

hoping....please be lawrence....please be lawrence..

As Ricardo Montalbán said about his Chrysler Cordoba...

"Look what they've done to my TOWN"

night · 1 year ago

Once again, a story about another town yet someone has to bring Lawrence in the mix... And people want to say thier not biased

Reality · 1 year ago

If you want to get real, the surrendering (hands up - unarmed) officer should have been ordered to lie still and be quiet and compliant as he was being tazed repeatedly and bitten by an attack dog, as up to a dozen officers knelt down on his neck and kicked him as in the videos. Oh yes, them apply the necessary legal charges of "resisting arrest!" Then, and only then, could he fully appreciate what it is like to be a citizen being taken into custody.

Reality Check · 1 year ago

Perhaps if you had done all that they told you to you would not have had the issues that you did.

sammie · 1 year ago

Just remember there are 2 sides to every story. This is someone from the Solomon camp.Let's see what the independent investigator you called for has to say! The truth of this latest Methuen blemish will be out soon. Methuen you really didn't think they were all going to just start behaving did you??Its like a cancer if you don't eradicate it ,it will be back!!!

Temper, Temper · 1 year ago

It doesn't make any difference whose "camp" either officer is from, the point is Phillips is known for his brutality at home and at work! There were witnesses so why does Methuen need an independent investigator?

sammie · 1 year ago

the reason you need an independent investigator is because there are 2 sides to the story..anyone can claim anything they want....soo lets just wait for the report of an independent investigator... if there were credible witnesses( ie witnesses without a payback agenda )it will be in the investigators report.

law- town fred · 1 year ago

Taxpayer,
you should hear how rude Lawrence cops are on the phone. I guess when you get your badge you loose all sense of resect for those who you are suppose to serve and protect.

Shaggy · 1 year ago

I know what ya saying cause you never,ever see citizens being jerky to any officers.

Buford T. Justice · 1 year ago

I'd like to see you try answering the phones at the LPD for a whole shift and see how your temperment is after. I know a lot of cops and you wouldn't believe some of the idiotic questions people ask. Not to mention, if you don't speak spanish, it's ten times harder. I've had nothing but good dealings w/ the LPD. Keep up the good work. Lawtown Fred, you must be the guy that calls up and complains that you've been a resident for 25 years, your son was an auxilary cop, you used to be in the service, you don't know who's car is parked in front of your house (but it's parked legally), the music is deafening (but you don't know where it's coming from), and your a TAXPAYER that pays the LPD salary. How about getting to the point and getting off the godamn phone so they can take other calls (like murders, rape, B&E's, mv accidents, ect, ect....). Get a life Fred.

Sgt · 1 year ago

Wow.. Very well put.

Nascardad · 1 year ago

Buford to add to that eloquent reply, when the officer cannot (within the confines of law) do precisely and exactly what LawTown Fred wants the officer to do, he is more than likely the guy that cries racism,sexism, homophobia or ageism, rhen demands the officer's badge number and or name and threatens to sue them for all they have (because of course he pays their salary) and then for good measure and to look like a tough guy in front of his friends,heckles the cops as they are leaving.
Lawtown Fred is the type of guy that wants the cops to trample everyone elses civil rights in order to make his life better and more enjoyable, however he would be at the front desk of the police station complaining about any minor perceived slights done to him by the police.

Lawtown, if it's so bad in Lawrence, I'm sure Methuen, Andover or N. Andover PD would love to serve and protect you, if you hurry I'll bet there is a bus leaving the Buckley Terminal right about now.

ftp · 1 year ago

You have never been there Buford, you would see these dispatchers largely do no more than worry about where their next meal is coming from. The LPD could expect a little more than have some animals answer the phones. These incompetents belittle the callers and their problems, resulting in lackadaisical coverage for the taxpayers.
I could answer the phones if it only entailed looking for food and insulting the callers. If not then it wouldn't be Lawrence PD.
If you don't agree then you haven't been there to experience the idiocy of LPD.

C-J · 1 year ago

Are you sure your pride was not hurt? Next time don't volunteer. Doesn't sound like he was in the military. I would have been embarrassed to report that ...he pushed me :( I can imagine how you were in day care.

Temper, Temper · 1 year ago

It sounds like he was viciously attacked.

atty sokolov · 1 year ago

give it up..I am sure a superior officer would viciously attack another officer in front of everyone critiquing the drill... give me a break...it is so clear what is going on here

So Tired of it All · 1 year ago

What is going on?

porta juan · 1 year ago

Valliere should have shot him

atty sokolov · 1 year ago

ya because then we would finally get one of them in jail..WHERE THEY BELONG

Randy · 1 year ago

The cops need to stop beating themselves, and start beating the prostitution in this city.

A friend pointed me to Craigslist, where there are multiple ads for "escorts" who offer services that I don't want my children assoc. with.

Let me also put it this way ------- my parents live in Meth. At their house, across the street in a pretty nice neighborhood, there is a group of 5 or 6 girls that live there. At all hours of the night, men drive up, stay 1/2 hr or so, then leave. Different guys all the time always escorted in and out of the house by the girls ------ WHORE HOUSE.

But it's okay guys, just keep beating the crap out of each other.

Shaggy · 1 year ago

Randy,
How about actually reporting it to the police instead of on a dumb forum as the police tend to focus more effort on the not as nice neighborhoods. I love "my friend pointed me to craigslist'. That's priceless.

Randy · 1 year ago

Shaggy,

We have, mult. times. They do nothing.

I-tried-that-2 · 1 year ago

I can't comment on specifics as I fear they will come after ME...

but...

I had the exact same experience after calling on a neighbor's bad kid....twice. If they had only done more than just drive by....even went and knocked on door.....

well....IF they did...my neighbor's life would have been a lot less stressful.

Quit Complaining · 1 year ago

I think it's amazing that Valliere could hear a "full sprint" from someone running on CARPET.

Valliere, for the record, has extensive job training; more so than most anyone else in the department. He is a Sniper, has been on the regional response team, has SWAT training, Detective training, Firearms Instructor Training, School Officer Training, CP Training etc.

Needless to say, he has done his share of role playing and this is just a feeble attempt to help out Solomon's cause. Matter of fact, some of Solomon's other friends also conveniently have played the ILD card recently as well. Maybe Valliere will consult with his union president for a Lawsuit recommendation.

So Tired of it All · 1 year ago

Have you ever been sucker punched? All the training in the world isn't going to help you.

oink · 1 year ago

whaddayaspect from pigs?

Shaggy · 1 year ago

good one

Dave · 1 year ago

I live in the area and am a police officer myself on another agency. I question the intergrity of this officer who decided to share what appears to be an internal complaint memo with the media. I have been following Methuens mess for about 3 years and this guy is just like the chief they fired who loved to fight his battles in the good old Eagle Tribune. Either this guy Valliere or the person he gave the memo to have to be responsible for this outrageous unprofessional leak. My department would have someone on the carpet for such a move. Methuen lack ethics, comrodory and sounds like its politically corrupt.

Fairness and Honesty Prevail · 1 year ago

Wow , somehow I knew this was going to be a Methuen story without even looking !
I don't know either man involved , nor their "history" , and I don't and won't be influenced by comments from others , such as .... this one is a friend of Solomon's or this one is known for his brutality .... what I have a hard time with in this one is ... how do you "hear" someone running at you full steam from behind ?
Back in the 1990's our Navy bases were protected by Navy policemen , actual navy personnel trained as police officers with full police powers. Somewhere along the line things started going wrong and a lot of politics came into play as well. The fix to the problem was quick and painless.
All navy personnel were removed and the security for the bases was turned over to the department of defense who brought in their own police forces , no more problems , no more politics. Maybe Methuen should try going that route , dismiss the entire police force and bring in another agency to police the city.

a teacher from that classroom · 1 year ago

I couldn,t agree more. Also how do you sprint in a classroom with desks etc? I sense some fabrication here.

omg · 1 year ago

suck it up!!ur wasting time an money!

Larry · 1 year ago

Larry the tough guy at it again. I hope he looses his badge. Really this man has no business being a police officer. Larry has violated the trust of his fellow officers more than once. Why can't MPD be more professional ? Because you have cops like this that don't even respect there peers.

c wedge · 1 year ago

1. a training scenereo took place and someone got injured. this does happen. real life is worse.
2. intentional or accidental? one supports the ex chief,and one was wronged by the same ex chief, and the third officer[a lt] there was also a supporter of the ex chief and there in the tv room also
3. sgt phillips watch your backside

fairy godmother · 1 year ago

I guess its payback time for Dorothy for dropping her house on the wicked witch of the east...and when they said "I'll get you my pretty" DAMN they meant it!! Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my!

Cow Hampshire resident · 1 year ago

I think Valliere should hire those Ninja's in North Andover to put a Hong Kong Phooey chop on Phillips.

lol@haverhill · 1 year ago

Cops are some of the closets knit group of workers I know. To say "I don't know what thier relationship was" is ridiculous. Everyone knows everyone, and yes there are certainly factions within, which goes to say "cops are thier own worst enemy". This is the case here.

For the average Joe Citizen, the "Blue Wall" is still alive and well. Here Blue-on-Blue, appears to be some in-house pissing match. Like any other department, all have thier own specfic issues.

Walter Winchell · 1 year ago

Sounds like Sgt. Phillips is one of Solomon's old crew. I wouldn't be suprised if Solomon was in on it to a point. Poor guy, I hope he'll ba able to return to work soon.

done · 1 year ago

Oh my god. You have it backwards!!! He is faking!!!!! Valliere is with Soloman. Phillips may have been rough, but so what? This guys was fine. Wanted NOTHING to do with being treated. Again, just more drama

No Nonsense · 1 year ago

This non-sense will continue in this police department until some sort of professionalism returns to this department. There was a time before Solomon when officers cared about their job and doing it well and cared about themselves. Several quality officers had left once they saw the department becoming unraveled and unprofessional and are probably laughing at the garbage that goes on and are glad they are not there to deal with it. Manzi needs to find an Chief who doesn't have connections to this crap that goes on and on and on.

No Nonsense · 1 year ago

Oh and one more thing if this allegation is true....I'm not impressed with anyone who feels that they have to strike someone from behind to prove their point. It's like hitting a prisoner that is handcuffed so he can't even defend himself. Obviously if it is true Phillips isn't that tough if he has to pick on a guy who is defenseless and is a lot smaller that he is. I hope he isn't that big of a bully....

Embarrasing · 1 year ago

To the men and women of the Methuen Police Department:

This trash that is continually in the newspaper is an embarrassment to all of you and the people in the Methuen Community. You need to be able to police yourself before you can police this community. There are a few of you that are bad apples and you need to police them as well, unfortunately. Apparently the new administration won't do it for you or they can't. Do the right thing please and bring your good name back to days of old, pre-Solomon!!!!!

sammie · 1 year ago

Extremely well said!!

Smack · 1 year ago

Mr. Foot...What has happened to eutopian Methuen? Just when I was set to book my vacation stay at Motel 110, the city goes into freefall...

Quality!!!! · 1 year ago

E. Higginbottom, J. Dizan, J. Toto, E. Difiore, M. Higginbottom, B. MacDougall, J. Harb, E. Guy, S. Pierce, T. Donovan, plus many other officers who have tried and wanted to leave and others that may have moved onward and upward.


These are quality people that brought pride & professionalism to the Methuen Police Department and who have since taken those qualities to other places when they could have been better served right here in Methuen.

Why has the government of Methuen allowed their quality people to move on and allowed the buffons and buffoonery to run the department into the ground and allow this negativity to continue????

waldo · 1 year ago

Buffoons are running the city, why would they surround themselves with anything else. There is no room for honesty, good hard workers, dedication, and truth and justice in the City of Methuen. All we have left are buffoons and complainers. There is nobody left to guide us out of this mess. All the smart ones are gone or unwilling to subject themselves to this evil.

Enough · 1 year ago

This is all just bs. All of it. Valliere was FINE!! He didnt even wasnt to go to the ER. This is all another Soap Opera given to us by the MPD. All you men/women that are still on the Dept and there for the right reasons,,,get out now!!

Quality!!!! · 1 year ago

I raise my glass to that.....Salute!!!!!!

Omerta · 1 year ago

The thin blue line..... nobody knows anything, nobody sees anything, nobody hears anything.

good luck Methuen.

amitheonly1whoseesthis · 1 year ago

Valliere, in a Police Department memorandum obtained by The Eagle-Tribune..1st problem right there...HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?
Will that breach go unpunished also???
You are allowing the disease that is plaguing the department to spread.If something is not done it will grow out of control like the Solomon fiasco did.

Unbelievable · 1 year ago

Think about this everyone. In October former chief solomon get his hearing before the cival service commission. They must decide to uphold the original hearing officers decision that the Mayor properly dismissed the former chief OR set aside the decision of the hearing officer and essentially re-instate the chief.
Ron Valliere is, and always was, a solomon supporter. He began with the chief in the original community policing squad. Make no mistake Ron Valliere is solomon's guy. Larry Philips is the man who told on solomon. He properly reported to the FBI when former chief solomon told him NOT to investigage James Caron for the theft of the tractor. It was Larry Phillips brave testimony before the cival service hearing officer telling him of that Friday night that the chief found out Phillips had indeed defied him and gone to the FBI. It was Phillips that solomon put on leave because he was so mad that Phillips had defied him. So there is NO doubt in my mind that this is pay bac k to Phillips bby Valliere for reporting the chief and speaking up at the hearing. Timing is everything. The incident hapened in August but Valliere is making a big issue of it now because solomons hearing is scheduled for next month. This is the old solomon gang trying in get their old boss re-instated by specifically discrediting the man who testified against him. That is what this is all about.

Wally · 1 year ago

Unbelievable,
You must be from the "swing shift" if not Larry himself. You should at least be honest with your facts. This was reported in August noy only to the Police Chief but to the Clerk of the Lawrence District Court. However, due to the on going political interference in the PD it was suppressed by the administration, until someone inside decided to leak this out.

How come everything has to do with Solomon, he isn’t even there anymore. A more true statement is this is all being overseen by the former Chief MacDougall whose company the outside investigator who is supposedly neutral works for. Check it out at Municipalresources.com and then come back and let us all know who is really behind this.

Wally

amitheonly1whoseesthis · 1 year ago

sorry Wally but I am with Unbelievable on this one .You lost me when you saidHow come everything has to do with Solomon, he isn’t even there anymore. Good try though

amitheonly1whoseesthis · 1 year ago

oh and also .Mr.Not Very Truthful..it wasn't suppressed by anyone because I remember reading it in the Trib a while back. Stop doing damage control for your compadres.This "leak" of an MPD memorandum has one purpose and I am truely sorry it is backfiring as all the other witness intimidation tries have done.

Uh? · 1 year ago

What a bunch of bull****.

HELLO!!!! · 1 year ago

The police are conducting a training exercise. Vallierre is role playing as a suspect. He is apprehended and on his knees with his hands in the air. At this point he is attacked from the rear by Sgt Phillips and put in the hospital with serious injuries to his rotacup.

Exactly why is this sudenly a matter of police politics?

Exactly why is this an attack on Phillips because he had a beef with Solomon?

What this is is a gratuitous attack by a superior officer..not face to face..but from the back..on a submissive patrolman.

Facts are facts and politics is only a factor in the attempt by Chief Lavigne to cover it up by hiring former Chief MacDougal's consulting firm to conduct an "independant" investigation.

Serious attention needs to be paid to the internal affairs of this department before someone is killed!

Time out · 1 year ago

Chief MacDougal was a fair and honest man. Great job Chief Lavigne in hiring his firm. They will get to the bottom of this. Also they will be checking Vallierre to see if he is working in his construction company. She is right on the ball. She has a bunch of brats working for her and they all need a time out!

God Not Again · 1 year ago

I agree with you except they need more than a time out. They need to realize it is ZERO tolerance for the bs that has gone on.High School administrators could deal with this situation better than the Police Administration has.What shame these pathetic flunkies have brought to their department and their town. Police officers used to be highly respected but not in this town anymore. How very sad

You are Unbelievable · 1 year ago

Unbelivable you certainly are. Let's put some real facts on the table. Phillps got caught watching the Pats while he was on duty, the chief yelled at him and the others watching the game. Phillips all but started crying over it, yet he tackles a peer from the back while he was handcuffed during training! You gotta be kidding. Maybe Phillips should grow up and try telling the truth, instead of what he 'believes' but can never prove.

josepepelouise · 1 year ago

randy?? good commentary..but how do you know?
quality..great commentary..atty sokolov...very insightful..and wally..good counter comment.

personally..ronny valliere..doing his part..joey aeillo doing his lawsuit within mcad..the former dep chief and chief..not to mention 6pack selling manzi who used to chill out with these guys at his ROSTRON'S liquor store in the backroom..

you guys aren't fooling anyone..you are all in it together..and your looking for the big payday??? no..

bunch of thieves in this community..and the list is so long, so notorious..noone is fooling anyone. EVERYONE knows everyone in this community...and especially other people. You guys should knock that crap off cuz your making the COMMUNITY look bad. Karma always comes around..so think about other instead of yourselves.

john · 1 year ago

To all the people here that are talking trash abouth the MPD i bet you have never had to call on them before for any reason. I have called them three times withing the last 6 months and all three times ther response was VERY fast and profesional. i have called the Chiefs offfice and leftm essages on what a wonderful job they are doing. I have lived in toens whre the police that answer the phone are ASSES and then tell you we have no one that is available....and NO i am not related to any of these police officers.......

Why dont some of you people star airing out what happens at your houses when everyone gathers around the turkey dinner and the Christmas tree this year. I cant wait to hear your storys.

ex policeofficer · 1 year ago

excessive and blatant attack..from a police officer...noway no how..would never happen

sad but true · 1 year ago

I am gratefull I left Methuen (born n raised) and moved to Salem,NH. This is crap and it needs to stop.

amitheonly1whoseesthis · 1 year ago

Only in Methuen Massachusetts can a police officer do the right thing and get all this bull**** for it from his fellow officers. Makes no sense whatsoever. Its a very tainted department and needs to be cleaned up and out. I was really hoping the new administration would restore its dignity but I don't see it happening..

An old friend · 1 year ago

I have known Larry since childhood and I do not believe he would do this to anyone.... I would be very suprised if he was found guilty .

whatabunchofwimps · 1 year ago

Methuen PD should win some award for the whiniest, wimpiest PD around. Rats, Backstabbers, and crybabies.

Maybe they should wrestle with some girls scouts, or start selling cookies, and let the Brownies patrol the streets.

Toughen up.

You think guys who work construction carry on like that? You obviously have WAY TOO MUCH free time.

If the officer was discharged from the hospital, he was NOT hurt, sorry dude, suck it up.

STOP RUNNING to the media EVERY time you have an internal problem. This looks bad for everyone.

Chief Lavigne, now is your time to shine. Kick some a$$ and stop the BS. Or roll over and be just another hack.

So Tired of it All · 1 year ago

too late she is already a hack

Nonsense · 1 year ago

This blog is great!!!!! Entertaining!!!! Makes me happy I left this soap opera!!!!! All you guys/girls who continue on and on and on need to get a hobby....you all sound like you are still in high school. You are supposed to be people that others are supposed to look to for help, advice and assistance. If they were to read all of this junk about you, do you think they would trust you? The answer is NO!!!!! There are bigger things in this world to worry about, maybe your family????? Time to grow up boys and girls and move on.

whatabunchofwimps · 1 year ago

If you were a taxpayer you would care what these shmucks are doing, too.

Go away apartment-dweller. Maybe you should get a job and start paying like the rest of us. Then MAYBE you sould understand WHY we care.

PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN CHIEF · 1 year ago

The Chief's comment is hardly encouraging when it comes to wondering if she has control of the department or this situation.

Is she saying that this was an unfortunate accident? Or an aberation?

She has access to the personnel record for this superior officer.

Is she saying that there are no instances or circumstances which have then or now raised issues?

It is the Chief's responsibility to make sure that there is not a hostile work enviroment. If she is aware of factors which might create such a hostile work enviroment ,and does nothing because of politics, then she ,as an individual ,could be sued for damages.

Time for transparency and not a cover up. Release the personnel records for publication and give the community confidence that she is in control and doing the right thing.

To say that she is not aware is both not credible and undermines the mission of the department. Time to tell the truth!

Nonsense · 1 year ago

First off personnel records are not open to freedom of information. Next, if there was some sort of pattern in the past then spervisors of both individuals should have made the Chief aware. Now if Off. Valliere felt there was a problem then he should have made his superiors up to the Chief aware. Now if none of these things occurred maybe that was because no one knew there was a problem. If there was/is a problem that will probably come out during the investigation. But I think you miss the entire issue. This department should have had an outside Chief chosen and there should have been a department wide debriefing once Joe Solomon was fired. The department should also been made aware of punishments if anyone was to continue causing problems/issues or if anyone tried any retribution to the other side. Steps have been made to make the department more cohesive, but obviously more work needs to be done. It's too bad.

Wally · 1 year ago

Nonsense,
personnel records dealing with discipline are a public record per the Ma public records law. The de[artment was aware of Sgt. Phillips record as reflected in the tribune story in September 2007 when he was suspended for harrassing a female employee and two officer.

Nonsense · 1 year ago

Actually Wally they didn't get that from his personnel record that was found out because Larry went to the press and told them about it.....know your facts.

Shamrock47 · 1 year ago

Public Safety?

As is the case with many of you, I too am tired of the chaos within the Methuen Police Department. I am also aware that we are faced with a situation that will not go away for quite some time. This disorder is a direct result of Manzi needing to control everything and everyone with in his path. I have read the papers and the blogs and can’t understand that nobody seems to grasp the fact that this is not about Solomon.
Some of the facts are, Solomon has been gone for about a year now, and the department has in fact become much worse with Lavigne as chief and Manzi at the helm. The politics in this city have spiraled out of control for many personal gains, Shaun Cronin for instance, a manic that is back on the job because of politics and money. The political corruption and interference in Methuen surpasses that of any other city by far.
Phillips is and always has been a bully! His first wife was physically and emotionally abused, as is the same with his second wife. He has for many years now been allowed to continue his rage within the MPD. Numerous complaints have gone up the chain in hopes of correcting the ignorance and brutality he has shown to the female officers as well as others he has enjoyed tormenting. These are his fellow officers and one can just imagine what kind of treatment he affords our great citizens.
Fram is right in the middle of everything looking like the innocent one as usual; he is aware of all the complaints and has covered up for Phillips time and time again. Phillips was sent to counseling just prior to Fram and Lavigne taking over. The facts of those results are that Phillips SHOULD NOT be a police officer and that he needed to attend anger management immediately. Lavigne and Fram told Phillips not to worry about it, and to continue on as usual. Holy crap!
There are many fine officers protecting the good citizens of Methuen, and I would like to think that I am one of them. Yes, I am a Methuen police officer! As with many of my fellow officers I want nothing more than to come to work every day and just be allowed to do my job with out interference and intimidation. I do feel that we should be accountable for our actions and that none of us are above the law. About one and a half weeks prior to Phillips attacking Valliere, Fram and Lavigne were warned that Phillips behavior needed to be dealt with “before someone gets hurt”. Again a blind eye was turned. Had this administration acted appropriately, Phillips would not have had the opportunity to continue his rage without remorse.

Some other facts are that this was not bump or simple shove to Valliere and when all the other reports are out you shall see how outrageous this attack was, Valliere’s injuries are in fact serious. Charges have been filed at Lawrence district court against Phillips and one can only hope that justice will be served. Because if not, who is next? Me? Maybe another of my fellow officers, or some unsuspecting good citizen simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. This issue is very serious and should this behavior be allowed to continue without consequence, the “Public Safety” in Methuen is destined to completely break down.

Nonsense · 1 year ago

You seem to dismiss the fact that all of this mess was because your former Chief Solomon and your former Deputy Chief Alaimo were the precipitator's of the demise of this police department. Had it not been for these two individuals and their cronies this would not have come to fruition. Both individuals expected their followers to inform them of ongoings in roll call, ongoings with officers who had differing opinons of what was going on inside the department and would make it a point to bully, intimidate or make people miserable because they wouldn't bow down to them. If you disagree look at what they did to Bruce MacDougall who was more of a professional than they ever were. Disagree??? I'm sure you do, but that is because you probably didn't get away with things like you did with the Joe's. Too bad this still continues and there are still people who refuse to accept that Joe Solomon is not coming back and can't seem to move on with the new regime.

Wally · 1 year ago

nonsense,
You sound just like Maurice Lariviere. Woulde you like to spend some time with my secretary?

whatabunchofwimps · 1 year ago

Hell hath no fury....

like an ex shamrock

Nonsense · 1 year ago

LOL!!!! That was pretty good!!!! Unfortunately Maurice isn't that bright.....but if your secretary is cute!!!!! LOL

Wally · 1 year ago

Breaking news!!!!!
Sgt. Phillips calls in sick, Tuesday and Wednesday......His vwife files for divorce....at least she will be safe now!!

Nonsense · 1 year ago

Not nice Wally!!!!!

amitheonly1whoseesthis · 1 year ago

Wow you friggen guys really are pathetic.I have lost all respect for that uniform. Methuen PD is now not only a statewide joke but a despicable organization filled with scum. Congrats!!

Nonsense · 1 year ago

Not nice Wally!!!!!!

Fairness and Honesty Prevail · 1 year ago

WOW ! This is really sad and pathetic. Bully Manzi needs to be removed from office and the entire police force needs to be replaced. I agree with the statement that they have become the laughing stock of the entire Commonwealth , both the city of Methuen as a whole and the police department. Is there a way to get the City Of Methuen placed into RECEIVERSHIP or something like that ? Have the state or the feds come in and take over and run things ..... That seems to be the one and only solution. Seriously now , let's look into RECEIVERSHIP !

Fairness and Honesty Prevail · 1 year ago

My scorecard is getting kind of full. Just in the last few months I've read articles and / or comments about Methuen regarding ....
1. Former Town Manager hanging with organized crime figures .... 2. School superintendant robbing the taxpayers blind by spending up free cash accounts while charging students to play sports .... 3. School superintendants son being busted for child porn ( and still working at school from what story said ) .... 4. School employees dealing narcotics ..... 5. Mayor talking out both sides of his mouth trying to buy all the votes he can , then when push comes to shove he stabs you in the back when it looks like something is going to go back to make him.look bad or guilty.... 6. School department business manager being investigated for "impropriaties" ..... 7. Chief of police and his assistant both gone facing accusations .... 8. Police officer receiving stolen property ( back on the job )..... 9. Relative of chief is suspect in hit and run death .... 10. Same relative is found with stolen property for which he has cancelled checks thousands of dollars less than the true value of the vehicles..... 11. Brother officers accusing each other .... 12. New chief already under fire being accused of playing favorites and overlooking things ..... 13. Former police officer , with father currently on town council being returned to job with paid damages .... 14. Town Attorney putting the moves on his secretary while being secretly videotaped .... 15. Hundreds of thousands in government funds missing and unaccounted for .... 16. Mayor plotting his next moves wondering who to give it to next to protect himself...... This is quite a soap opera ... Peyton Place has nothing on Methuen , this town is so bad the Soprano's don't even want to move in. Somebody please find a way to bring in the feds to run the town and get rid of all the politicians , police , councillors , committee members , and maybe the dog catcher needs to take a hit to. RECEIVERSHIP NOW !

Wally · 1 year ago

Fairness and Honesty Prevail,
Well said for the most part. You must remember the information you listed is accurate for the most part however remember the source is the Tribune and it has already been shown that their stories are sometimes exactly that "stories" and not facts. Change must start at the top. If you are serious then you can see the City Clerk and ask for a recall petition and begin collecting signatures and have a recall election of the Mayor. After that have a recall election of every elected official and then the newly elected officials can remove department heads and they can work their way through the city.

It is fair to note prior to January 2006 when this Mayor and Council took office the city was running rather well with only the normal infighting that is found at any city or privately run business. These politicians choose to infiltrate individual departments and publicize everything that fit into their “master plan”.

msicar skcus · 1 year ago

Wally, I cant disagree with getting new blood so to speak
as elected and appointed officials for the city I do disagree about ...'the city was running rather well...'

Sharon Pollard is in large part responsible for this mess.
Up until 2006 she was able to keep it off the radar, and the press, by her autocratic bullying and manipulative
management style. Yes the councilors are responsible
and some voiced opposition yet most followed along happy to be favorably stroked by Pollard. Yet Pollard set the tone for city government from 2000-06, made appointments and insured a legacy as yet another
politician who put herself and her minions before the duties of the office.
I cant overlook that fact she was responsible for Joe
Solomon being chief.
Alas...Methuen is art imitating life. Cant wait for the Boys.

ED · 1 year ago

Wasn't Manzi her biggest su[pporter?

Fairness and Honesty Prevail · 1 year ago

YES. Bully Manzi was a very big supporter of Sharon Pollitics and Bully was also a very big supporter of former town manager Mike McLaughlin's too , don't EVER forget that. Bully Manzi was a supporter of anybody that could possibly present votes to him. Bully Manzi's backroom at the liquor store quite often had more politician's in it than the town council meeting hall did. Much more was bought and sold in that back room than liquor. With all that has gone on during Bully Manzi's administration it has proven that he is more dangerous than Brutus and Benedict Arnold combined. He has no honor whatsoever and certainly no shame , no remorse , no guilt.

Unbelievable · 1 year ago

Oh it's Ellen Bahan--I wondered when you would weigh on this. How about running for Mayor again! I love watching you get trounced publicly. Your list is incorrect. You so-called facts your own aberetions and your sanity continually questioned.

Fairness and Honesty Prevail · 1 year ago

Sorry to disappoint you , no Ellen here , don't know her , don't want to. Not even female , not even a Massachusetts resident anymore , finally got fed up enough to get out. Heard too much , saw too much , the truth prevailed. Anybody who can back Manzi at this point is either related to him or still getting favors from him. Have no use for you or your comments , you care not about your community , just yourself. If you were an honest person , you would just shut your mouth and work toward the good of the town and it's people , work towards getting rid of the system , the corruption , the favors , the gladhanders. I have never had a personal relationship or friendship with any of Methuen's 3 mayors , nor any of it's past town managers. I was supportive of only 1 mayor's administration , the original one , Dennis Dizoglio , an honest man who was NOT a politician and performed an admirable job in running Methuen without kowtowing to the everpresent political systems and history that have long been ingrained in the city's history. The full intent on getting away from having town managers was to get away from political groups and friends and deals and favors. Dennis Dizoglio ran Methuen with benefit for all and put it back on it's feet and pointed it in a good direction without granting favors to anyone , without any scandals , without any secrets. The idiots of Methuen who chose to install a politician as mayor after Dennis left office are responsible for the return to the old style politics and problems. Dennis didn't please everybody , because you can't when you don't give in to political pressure from the old timers. Dennis was chosen as a candidate for the fact he was very experienced in municipal administration from his days in Peabody. He worked hard and straightened out all the issues in the town. Sharon Pollitics came in after him and made a quick return to the old political game of favors and friends first and destroyed all of the good foundations that Dennis put into place. The idiots of Methuen then compounded their mistakes by putting Bully Manzi in the chair , who's next Greg Hyatt?

I KNOW · 1 year ago

HI ELLEN

history repeats · 1 year ago

hey shamrock!! or Scotty!!

whoever you are!! listen up moron. Your a classless piece of sh...!

you have every right to say you HATE sgt phillips guts and disagree with him being a cop...but you got no right bringing up his private life!! talking about his wife!!

Your a loser and a degenerate!! I can tell you, as I am sure you already know, that being a cop is very stressful. They used to have the number on suicide rate, they still have the highest divorce rate and it's definitely the most dangerous occupation!

however, you wanna talk about your mpd boys..bookies, drug dealing on the side, swinging*(that's sexual), cheating on their wives, protecting other local drug dealers...REAL PROFESSIONAL!!

we all hear the rumors..and your dept. is a disgrace. the people of methuen don't care about people's personal bad habits, they want to trust them when called upon TO DO THEIR JOB!!! period. You know that they have zero faith in trust and confidence.

You naming an officer specifically and talking smack about there family places you in the degenerate low class all-time award. you crossed a sacred line which you obviously have no respect for!

by the way, it's known as PROJECTION not transference when you throw your own traits on other people!

fairness and honesty!! keep saying it like it is!!

MR. Methuen · 1 year ago

Yes very dangerous job here in Mayberry. I saw a female officer watching the construction boys on Broadway this morning instead of watching the traffic.

Shaggy · 1 year ago

Methuen = Mayberry? ooook

karma is cool · 1 year ago

These Solomon boys are a cancer ,a cancer that was dormant for a while after their leader was thrown out ,but are now trying to come back with a vengence. If they are not stopped the department will be engulfed in the disease once again. It is time for SOMEONE to do SOMETHING!
The grant thiefs ,cops with records were never addressed after their boss was fired. This is what you get for ignoring a major problem

REALLY..YOU DO HAVE TO BE FAIR · 1 year ago

"grant thiefs"?? city said no theft! if there had been the Mayor would have had to fire ALL involved !!

"cops with records" ???does that include chief and at least five others???

karma is cool · 1 year ago

you lie..the city NEVER said no theft..what do you think it was a donation??and if you read Rumbo you will know who the cops with records are..it has been statedthere many many times.

Fairness and Honesty Prevail · 1 year ago

To continue to invoke the Solomon name is to continue beating a dead horse , he is no longer here. People need to focus on the true problem which apparently and quite obviously , the mayor , Bully Manzi. Solomon's service as a police officer pre-dated the current mayor , pre-dated Sharon Pollitics , and possibly the first mayor. The one individual at the center of ALL Methuen's problems is the man who is charged with the central responsibility of running the town government because he chose to run for the office of mayor , Bully Manzi. All of this stuff has blown way out of proportion under HIS administration , he seemingly had NO qualms or problems with Chief Solomon when he ( Manzi ) took office , only after questions started to arise about the management and use and accounting of federal monies did Bully Manzi have a problem with Chief Solomon as being the mayor , the whole situation would reflect back on him and cause people to take a good clear look at HIS government and administration , therefore he jumped ship and Chief Solomon was no longer a friend or compatriot. Not only has the police department finances and accounting come under scrutiny while Bully Manzi is mayor but so has the School Departments finances , spending , and accounting through the Joe Salvo investigations. Bully Manzi is the one who professes to be in control , barks orders at every one , makes public statements to appease the voting masses , whatever they want to hear in order to get the votes. He and Tom Kelly are the ONLY 2 people who have their fingers on ALL the towns financial information and have FULL control of every penny of it. They are the ones that need to be held accountable for all of this mess. If you are Bully Manzi's friends today , that will change if you come under scrutiny for anything tomorrow because he no longer has use for you or wants to be associated with you if it's going to come back on him as mayor. If there is wrongdoing in his administration , Bully Manzi pleads idiocy and claims he knows nothing of what is taking place or has taken place , but for you , the voters and good citizens of Methuen , he will act to clean it up. Let's get over the Solomon thing and turn our collective attention to the ROOT of the problem , Bully Manzi.

Unbelievable · 1 year ago

You solomonites are everywhere. Just in the nick of time too. solomon's civil service hearing is next month I am sure you have much planned to muddy the waters before then. You just can't let it go. The little man is done. It is over but you just keep blaming the Mayor for all your woes... boo hoo. And of course the loss of all that lucrative overtime you got uner the little man. Now the overtime is equally divided there is no more overtime empire like before. But you just can't stand it so you continue and continue to blame the Man you had to clean it up. Mayor Manzi is the hardest working Mayor Methuen has ever had. He has had to make tough choices that even involved his good friends i.e. solomon and salvo. But he made the right decisions for this City and the City thrives, with the lowest property taxes and water bills in the whole Merrimack Valley. The police department needs to just GET OVER IT.!!

dave · 1 year ago

The overtime at the PD is not distributed evenly...The Tribune should check out the inordinate amount of overtime Captain Fram and Lt. Martin are making. They change their hours weekly to accommodate more overtime. This is what Manzi claimed happened with Solomon... How come it is still going on but just by different people?

Fairness and Honesty Prevail · 1 year ago

Sorry unbelievable , to claim that Bully Manzi ( AKA Boss Hog - those jowls are incredible ) is the hardest working mayor Methuen has had is a ridiculous statement so far from the truth that to speak it you are living in a dream world or you're related to him or one of his temporary friends , until you do something that will reflect on him and he has to stab you in the back and dump you to save his own hide. His hard work has all been in trying to save himself from poor administration of his duties and allowing his friends to dictate the leadership of the city until something goes wrong.
The only hard working mayor the town has had was Dennis Dizoglio , period , case closed.
I was not a friend of Dennis's nor did I ever ask him for a favor. I have never had a friendship nor a personal relationship with ANY Methuen politician. I never knew Mr. Solomon either. I am solely a person interested in right and wrong , interested in the truth , interested in good government and responsible spending , things that are all seriously lacking within the confines of Methuen. All your claims of the city's financial standing are lies and you don't address the fact of all the taxpayer dollars flying out of city hall to cover all these lawsuits and settlements , Bully's stamp firmly planted on all of them , he's the guy that chose to run for mayor , he wanted to be in charge , he mishandled the job , he has to be held accountable. He was warned 15 years ago that his association with Mike McLaughlin would lead down a bad path and come back to haunt him. He was a young kid with big dreams , be everybody's friend , run the town , be the man. He became a politician , greasy back room deals , favors granted here and there for votes and support , sidestepping rules and regulations till the poop hits the fan , then dumping those who get caught while professing to be innocent and all knowing and then repledging himself to the voting public to clean it all up and restore respectability. The respectability will never return to Methuen while Bully is in office , nor will it ever come back with a politician in office. Methuen is clearly the frontrunner in the Commonwealth when it comes to being the laughing stock and Bully is it's leader. RECEIVERSHIP. NOW.

Unbelievable · 1 year ago

HI BOB!!!

Chris · 1 year ago

I can't believe what I heard. Valliere actually had the MASSCOP attorney Sandulli sign a complaint against another union police officer. What a coward to use our own union to fight his battle for his friend and best man at his wedding Solomon. Shame on our union. Hey Aiello you gotta go. This isn't a union fight.

Bill · 1 year ago

Chris,
Nice try but Phillips is not in the patrolmans union and you know that. You should be outraged that a superior officer assaulted one of your own.
As to criminal records those officers are "Jajugas Boys"

NAcouple · 1 year ago

Next time they should use guns on each other

Justice · 1 year ago

I think the officer is being a complete crybaby... welcome to training. You train like you fight. Obviously if you got hit, then you were doing something wrong.

Justice · 1 year ago

The Methuen Police department is nothing but trouble. There has been numerous times where I have been in the TGI Fridays where I will see a MEthuen SUPERVISOR drinking at the bar on duty. I wanted to give this indiviual the benefit of the doubt, so when I sat at the bar to listen in, I found out that wasnt just a Coca Cola they were ordering. This is an embarrassment to the badge, Methuen, and the officers families as well. I think its time to clean house.

Sad · 1 year ago

I just want to know who will appoligize to Phillips when this is all said and done? All you little Soloman cronies are such sad little pathetic men. I sometimes feel sad for you. This Dept needs to do something and do it fast. There are so many great guys and women there. And then to drag down people in their family. Are you all that unhappy? I pray to god that this all ends and EVERYONE can just move on.....

Chris · 1 year ago

Bill he may not be in our union but he is a union member and is a PO. He may not be the nice sarge we would want as aour supervisir but if my ass is in a sling out there he is the guy I want calling the shots. Blue line means crap to you, Aiello, Ronnie and Danny O. It's all about getting your guy unfired and back on the tit. I have always been proud to be a PO but you are making me ashamed of my department.

MjB · 1 year ago

At first I was going to say "Waaaaa!" and leave it at that.

But now I see that it looks like there is some bad blood between these two officers. Whatever the reason I predict the following. There will be a financial payout for one officer, the other won't be disciplined and nothing more will be done to change the atmosphere at the PD.

Dave · 1 year ago

I am glad the PI saw thru the BS and reported it. Thanks chief for going outside. Great report and it proves Phillips was being set up by 3 or 4 of his FELLOW ????? officers. Now lets move on and get rid of the bad seeds. I hope my dept never goes thru something like this.