GREENFIELD — The mayor and the police chief used the third and final part of a series of community conversations on race, gender, class, equity and other topics to explain the stances they’ve taken following May’s racial discrimination judgment against the Police Department and to reassure community members they hear and understand their concerns.
Roxann Wedegartner and Robert Haigh Jr. said on Monday evening that they welcome open and honest dialogue about policing’s role in Greenfield but stopped short of apologizing for any decisions that have angered residents or generated calls for their resignations. The city enlisted Tanisha Arena, executive director of Arise for Social Justice in Springfield, and JAC Patrissi, an internationally known trauma clinician and author, to facilitate the series called “Dialogues Across Differences: A Community Conversation.” The series’ three virtual sessions were held on Nov. 28, Dec. 6 and Dec. 19.
Citing information that came to light during the racial discrimination lawsuit filed by former Greenfield Police Officer Patrick Buchanan, Wedegartner placed Haigh and Police Lt. Todd Dodge on paid administrative leave from May to September. However, Wedegartner said the information leading to the administrative leave was “totally unrelated” to the Hampshire County Superior Court jury verdict in May that found the Greenfield Police Department and Haigh had discriminated against Buchanan when he was denied a promotion in 2014 due to “racial animus.”
Wedegartner said she feels Haigh “inherited a Police Department at its lowest point” when he took the reins in 2013 and that he has “moved the Greenfield Police Department to a better place.”
“(Haigh) is here for as long as he’s willing to do the work,” Wedegartner made clear during Monday’s discussion.
But this angered some of the session’s 50 attendees who objected to what they viewed as a disregard for public input or scenarios that might unfold in the future. Wendy Goodman wrote a comment in the virtual platform’s chat feature calling Wedegartner’s words “an abdication of (her) role.” When called on to make verbal comment, Goodman said she was disappointed Wedegartner had dug in her heels on the issue of removing Haigh from his post. She said she respects Haigh and appreciates his service but feels he would be more useful in a different leadership role, “even if we create it.” Alice Timmons said she was similarly frustrated with what Wedegartner said, believing the mayor to have a “no-matter-what” mindset.
Wedegartner explained she took office six weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic started and she got to know Haigh by working with him when she convened daily with emergency officials on how to handle the public health crisis. She said she saw firsthand the amount of care and concern Haigh has for Greenfield.
“Is he perfect? No. He’ll be the first person to tell you that,” Wedegartner said. “Is the Greenfield Police Department perfect? No. He’ll also be the first person to tell you that.”
When it came time for Haigh to speak, he thanked the facilitators for the opportunity and stressed that this situation has been difficult for him and his family.
“These conversations are not easy,” he said, “but they’re definitely necessary.”
The chief said he wanted to set the record straight, saying Buchanan had not been the department’s only person of color and that this assertion is insulting to the other persons of color who dedicated their lives to the department. Haigh also reminded viewers that he has pushed for full accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, making his the first such department in Franklin County. The chief described this process as someone “checking your work.”
“We’re in a very difficult profession that is changing all the time,” he said. “Our folks are willing to learn.”
Several commenters on Monday had referred to the 2015 incident in which a Confederate flag was spotted inside the garage of Police Detective Sgt. Daniel McCarthy, who was the department’s liaison to the Human Rights Commission. This generated significant controversy in the city, as many wanted McCarthy, who has since been promoted to lieutenant, reprimanded or terminated because the flag, often associated with racism and white supremacy, was visible to a Black youth who lived next door. The flag was hanging in the garage and visible only when the door was open.
Haigh took a few minutes on Monday to touch on the issue. He said he does not like the flag and asked McCarthy to take it down. However, the chief stated McCarthy’s right to fly the flag is protected by the First Amendment. Haigh also said McCarthy was temporarily kept on the Human Rights Commission at the request of At-Large City Councilor Penny Ricketts, who is Black and reportedly wanted McCarthy to be “part of the solution.”
But some have evidently reached the end of their patience for Haigh and Wedegartner. Elizabeth Deneeve, a School Committee member, said she appreciates these types of discussions but does not find them fruitful. She argued people should believe someone when he or she reveals who they truly are. She also accused Wedegartner of being uninterested in the will of the people and said voters should remember that next year, which is an election year.
Deneeve also accused the police of spreading propaganda online and weaponizing social media against people who criticize them.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.