FITCHBURG — Police Lt. Joaquin Kilson, a 19-year Police
Department veteran, was fired Friday for his alleged association with a
Fitchburg cocaine dealer.
A hearing officer appointed by the mayor ruled
in favor of personnel charges against Lt. Kilson, including untruthfulness,
improper associations and conduct unbecoming an officer, Sgt. Glenn Fossa said
yesterday.
Lt. Kilson, 51, was placed on administrative
leave in January, Sgt. Fossa said, after it was discovered he had associations
with at least one of 16 people arrested Jan. 26 in “Operation Red Wolf,” a two-year
investigation into illegal firearm sales, drug trafficking and related gang
activities in Fitchburg.
Twenty people were indicted in Worcester
Superior Court as a result of the investigation, including the 16 arrested that
day. Sgt. Fossa said the cases are pending in Worcester Superior Court.
Lt. Kilson was questioned by the FBI and state
and local police. An internal investigation, Sgt. Fossa said, determined he had
regular social contact with a 37-year-old Fitchburg man indicted by a grand
jury for selling cocaine during the two-year operation. He also maintained
regular cellphone contact with the man and stayed at his home in the Dominican
Republic, Sgt. Fossa said.
“We are saddened by this event, but must hold
our officers to the highest standard,” Police Chief Robert A. DeMoura said in a
news release yesterday. “The members of the department and our law enforcement
partners cannot tolerate being in a position where their safety could be
compromised. We are confident the department will heal and the community's
confidence in the Police Department will continue.”
It was unclear whether criminal charges will
be filed against Mr. Kilson.
Chief DeMoura would not say
whether the full investigation is completed.
Mr. Kilson did not return
phone calls seeking comment.