Post by LadyBlue on Aug 16, 2007 19:04:54 GMT -5
HAMPTON — A former part-time Hampton police officer led Massachusetts State Police on a wild chase through four towns and a city last week that concluded at the toll booth of the Tobin Bridge near Boston, according to police.
James Cahillane, of 887 Washington St., Canton, Mass., was charged July 22 with operating under the influence of liquor (fourth offense), operating under the influence of drugs, resisting arrest and failure to stop.
Cahillane was also charged with impersonating an officer after allegedly showing the arresting officer an expired Hampton Police Department identification and badge that were in his pocket.
As a result, Hampton police said they are investigating why the former officer still had his badge and ID as well as a town-issued handgun.
Massachusetts Trooper Eric Benson said the pursuit began around 9:35 p.m. when state police received a phone call from another driver reporting the erratic behavior of a 2003 gray Subaru. The car was spotted traveling southbound on Route 1 in Saugus by Trooper Robert Noonan.
"The vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit took place," Benson said.
Benson said Noonan followed Cahillane's vehicle through Saugus, Malden, Chelsea, Boston and into Revere.
The chase came to an end when Cahillane's vehicle stopped at the upper deck of the Tobin Bridge as it approached the toll booth, Benson said.
Benson said Cahillane not only refused to get out of the car but claimed he was an officer himself. After resisting arrest, Cahillane was taken into custody and brought back to the state police headquarters in Danvers, Mass., Benson said.
The department was notified of the incident the night of Cahillane's arrest.
Hampton Police Chief Jamie Sullivan confirmed that Cahillane worked as a part-time officer for the department during the summer months from 2001 to 2005.
Not only did Cahillane still have his badge and ID, but state police said that during the investigation they discovered he also still had his Hampton Police Department issued handgun.
Massachusetts State Police said they found the gun at Cahillane's Canton residence.
"My first reaction when I heard this was to determine how on Earth this could have occurred," Sullivan said. "It's unacceptable."
Sullivan said department records show Cahillane was given an order in 2004 by former Police Chief Bill Wrenn to return all of his equipment. At the time, Cahillane requested a leave of absence and it was granted.
"Apparently what occurred is that he failed to comply with that order," Sullivan said. "And our internal controls failed to track that. We are currently reviewing our internal controls and changing them to ensure that this never happens again."
Cahillane resigned from his position in 2005 and no other order was given to return his equipment.
"He could not work the required hours of a part-time officer, which resulted in his resignation," Sullivan said. "I believe the assumption was that he had already turned in his gear."
Sullivan said the department is conducting a full audit.
"We are in the process of double-checking everything and checking all of our inventories to make sure that we have accounted for everything," the chief said.
Sullivan said the officer who was responsible for overseeing all the equipment at the time Cahillane worked there is no longer with the department.
Cahillane was arraigned at Lynn District Court on July 23. He posted the $500 bail and is scheduled to be back in court for a pretrial hearing on Sept. 13.
James Cahillane, of 887 Washington St., Canton, Mass., was charged July 22 with operating under the influence of liquor (fourth offense), operating under the influence of drugs, resisting arrest and failure to stop.
Cahillane was also charged with impersonating an officer after allegedly showing the arresting officer an expired Hampton Police Department identification and badge that were in his pocket.
As a result, Hampton police said they are investigating why the former officer still had his badge and ID as well as a town-issued handgun.
Massachusetts Trooper Eric Benson said the pursuit began around 9:35 p.m. when state police received a phone call from another driver reporting the erratic behavior of a 2003 gray Subaru. The car was spotted traveling southbound on Route 1 in Saugus by Trooper Robert Noonan.
"The vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit took place," Benson said.
Benson said Noonan followed Cahillane's vehicle through Saugus, Malden, Chelsea, Boston and into Revere.
The chase came to an end when Cahillane's vehicle stopped at the upper deck of the Tobin Bridge as it approached the toll booth, Benson said.
Benson said Cahillane not only refused to get out of the car but claimed he was an officer himself. After resisting arrest, Cahillane was taken into custody and brought back to the state police headquarters in Danvers, Mass., Benson said.
The department was notified of the incident the night of Cahillane's arrest.
Hampton Police Chief Jamie Sullivan confirmed that Cahillane worked as a part-time officer for the department during the summer months from 2001 to 2005.
Not only did Cahillane still have his badge and ID, but state police said that during the investigation they discovered he also still had his Hampton Police Department issued handgun.
Massachusetts State Police said they found the gun at Cahillane's Canton residence.
"My first reaction when I heard this was to determine how on Earth this could have occurred," Sullivan said. "It's unacceptable."
Sullivan said department records show Cahillane was given an order in 2004 by former Police Chief Bill Wrenn to return all of his equipment. At the time, Cahillane requested a leave of absence and it was granted.
"Apparently what occurred is that he failed to comply with that order," Sullivan said. "And our internal controls failed to track that. We are currently reviewing our internal controls and changing them to ensure that this never happens again."
Cahillane resigned from his position in 2005 and no other order was given to return his equipment.
"He could not work the required hours of a part-time officer, which resulted in his resignation," Sullivan said. "I believe the assumption was that he had already turned in his gear."
Sullivan said the department is conducting a full audit.
"We are in the process of double-checking everything and checking all of our inventories to make sure that we have accounted for everything," the chief said.
Sullivan said the officer who was responsible for overseeing all the equipment at the time Cahillane worked there is no longer with the department.
Cahillane was arraigned at Lynn District Court on July 23. He posted the $500 bail and is scheduled to be back in court for a pretrial hearing on Sept. 13.