July 19--A Leominster, Mass., police officer now facing a disciplinary hearing for his actions at a New Hampshire Fisher Cats game initially admitted to Manchester police that he heckled a Boston Red Sox player, but he downplayed the significance of what turned out to be a racial slur, according to a Manchester police report.
The officer, identified Wednesday in Leominster as John Perrault, will face a disciplinary hearing before that city's mayor next Wednesday. Mayor Dean Mazzarella said he will decide the repercussions for Perrault, who has been with the department for five years, after the hearing.
"What people don't want is something swept under the rug, or cops protecting cops," Mazzarella told the New Hampshire Union Leader.
The incident took place July 5 at the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford, who is black, was rehabbing with the Portland Sea Dogs, a Red Sox affiliate.
In a report to Manchester police officials, Sgt. Scott Fuller recounted his conversation with an unnamed spectator, who told Fuller he was a Leominster police officer.
"Officer (Steve) Maloney asked what he said, and the Leominster officer stated that he did not say anything bad but yelled to Crawford that he was "overrated" and a "Monday," the report reads.
"Officer Maloney told him that was unusual and asked what a "Monday" was or meant. I am paraphrasing, but the Leominster officer stated to Officer Maloney that the term "Monday" was meant to indicate a form of dislike. He stated something to the effect "you know, nobody likes a Monday" referring to the day of the week."
The following day, Fuller undertook an Internet search and found out that "Monday" can be used as a racial slur. The memo was written three days ago, days after media reported that a Leominster police officer was responsible for using a racial slur against Crawford.
Mazzarella said Perrault has worked with the Leominster Police Department for five years and has 13 years experience as a police officer. Mazzarella is not aware of any previous problems with Perrault, he said.
Perrault was placed on paid leave until the hearing, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. next Wednesday.
Mazzarella has said he has never heard of the term "Monday." But he said there are a lot of racial terms he is unfamiliar with.
In his report, Fuller said another police officer, retired Capt. Fred Roach, "had been notified" about the actions of Perrault. But in deciding not to take any action, Fuller said no fan or stadium worker approached him or Maloney about Perrault's actions.
"Had Mr. Crawford properly relayed to Capt. Roach that he had been called a 'Monday' and that there was a possibility that it was used as a racial slur coupled with the Leominster officer stating that he used the term, then the outcome may have been different," Fuller wrote.
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Mark Hayward may be reached at [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester
