A Massachusetts police officer who posted a video online alleging corruption within his department says he has been placed on paid administrative leave after refusing to take it down and will probably lose his job.
Holyoke Officer Rafael Roca, a former Marine hired in 2016, said in the 43-minute video posted on YouTube that Chief Manny Febo is “corrupt” and plays favorites, and he argued that members of minority groups are passed over for plum assignments and that discipline is handed out selectively.
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He also called for the FBI or the state attorney general’s office to investigate the department.
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“Yeah, they didn’t waste any time. They took my gun and my badge and kicked me out of the email system,” Roca told Masslive.com on Monday. “I’ll probably lose my job, but I’m good. I stand behind the video and what I said in it.”
Febo, who plans to retire in July, said he has nothing to hide.
“I stand by the integrity of the men and women of the Holyoke Police Department and I welcome any outside agency that would like to look into any of the alleged allegations from the video,” he said in a statement.
Roca said he was suspended for violating the department’s social media policy, which bars officers from criticizing the department on social media platforms.
