LOWELL -- The veteran city police officer who reported for duty the morning of Oct. 27 allegedly under the influence of alcohol should be fired, Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee has recommended.
Lavallee made the recommendation on Michael Sylvester to City Manager Bernie Lynch late last month. As the appointing authority, Lynch is the only city official who can fire a police officer.
Lavallee and Lynch declined to discuss the case. However, The Sun has learned from numerous sources that Lynch will approve Lavallee's recommendation.
In the meantime, Sylvester will remain on paid administrative leave. Sylvester was hired in 2000 and most recently worked the day shift. He was scheduled to earn nearly $58,000 this fiscal year.
The Sun has learned from multiple sources that the Oct. 27 incident wasn't the first time Sylvester violated department substance-abuse regulations.
"To be terminated, there has to be a lengthy track record, as there was in this case," said one person with knowledge of Sylvester's case.
Other sources told The Sun that several of Sylvester's colleagues noticed that he appeared drunk just before morning roll call. Sylvester never got into his cruiser. Day shifts in the LPD begin at either 8:30 or 9 a.m.
The home addresses of police officers are not public information, so Sylvester could not be reached for comment. Dan Kennedy, president of the union that represents Lowell police officers, did not return two messages left on his cellphone or an email.
Copyright 2011 MediaNews Group, Inc.All Rights Reserved
