Officer LeBert Resigns from Medford Police
– Allison Goldsberry
Medford Police officer Stephen LeBert, who was caught on video threatening a wrong-way driver in July, has resigned from the police department, according to a statement released by Mayor Michael McGlynn.
Officer LeBert had been on administrative leave with pay since the incident. His status will change to administrative leave without pay as he waits for his retirement papers to be processed.
LeBert faced a public disciplinary hearing on Thursday, October 15. That hearing is no longer taking place.
In the July incident, Officer LeBert is accused of threatening to shoot the driver, Michael Coates, and to have used several expletives directed toward him. Officer LeBert was off-duty during the time of the incident and allegedly drove his own personal vehicle in an unsafe manner while trying to get the attention Coates, who claimed he accidentally drove the wrong way around the Winthrop Street rotary.
Officer LeBert is accused of several departmental violations, including conduct unbecoming of a police officer, conduct injurious to public peace and welfare, and Medford Police policies regarding pursuit and use of force.
LeBert, a thirty year veteran of the Medford Police, had previous disciplinary actions taken against him, including three separate suspensions in the 1986 and 1992. He also had several public complaints filed against him during his career.
Let me be clear, LeBert should have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and immediately fired by Police Chief Sacco instead of enjoying his three month paid vacation. That this didn’t happen is troubling in and of it self and deserves attention. Moreover, LeBert’s resignation prior to his hearing is unfortunate for the Medford community and I feel the hearing should take place with or without LeBert. This hearing would have been an opportunity to have a conversation with the law enforcement community in Medford and to show support for the police who would/could swiftly and publicly discipline and/or remove fellow officers who become a threat to the people of Medford or who are indeed criminal themselves (e.g. LeBert). Too often police are silenced by peer pressure and fail to report misconduct. I hope the police in Medford know that the community will stand with them if they root out corrupt, dangerous, or bigoted officers.
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Howard!