Policeman Accused Of Scratching Swastika Into Other Officer's Car Resigns

A Massachusetts police officer accused of scratching a swastika into another officer's vehicle has reportedly resigned.

Officer Timothy Tufts resigned from the Marblehead Police Department on Wednesday (December 17) in relation to the reported incident, Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello confirmed in a statement obtained by MassLive.com.

Picariello said he became aware of the incident in mid-November and placed Tufts on administrative leave while the department gathered facts during its investigation into the incident, although not mentioning a specific date when the incident occurred.

"We were deeply disappointed to learn of this incident, which is both a direct contradiction of the spirit of inclusion we hold dear in our community, and a violation of the high standards to which we hold our law enforcement officers here in Marblehead," the town's Board of Selectmen said in a statement obtained by MassLive.

Picariello said he is working with the Anti-Defamation League of New England to provide the Marblehead Police Department with training programs and resources in order to avoid similar incidents from occurring in the future.

“Furthermore, I will commission an independent administrative review and retain an outside investigator to conduct a holistic finding of fact so that we can learn all of the facts of this incident and include it in our training programs,” Picariello said via MassLive. “I apologize to our community for this deeply disturbing and unfortunate situation, and I vow to do everything and engage every resource available to ensure that this kind of incident does not repeat itself in the future.”

Tufts had reportedly worked with the Marblehead Police Department in March 2016 prior to his resignation, according to MassLive.

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