Oct 3, 2008 5:35 pm US/Eastern
Police Protest New Detail Regulations
By reporter Jim Smith
REVERE (WBZ) ―
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Revere police protest new regulations that allow civilians to be hired as details instead of police.
WBZ
The first battle over the controversial changes for police details has begun.
"You didn't even consult with us -- no way, two lanes -- your plan's faulty. I'm not letting you work," one Revere police officer said in protest of a new law that has done away with police-hired details.
Police in Revere and Everett stopped Massachusetts Water Resources Authority work from moving forward Friday with civilian flagmen instead of uniformed officers.
The MWRA arrived on Tremont Street in Everett to do some maintenance on a manhole cover. But they were greeted by police union members who are angry that the work is being done without a police detail.
Friday marked the first day that new regulations went into effect, allowing flagmen instead of details at some sites. But instead, a MWRA supervisor was met by police who cited safety concerns.
The MWRA crew decided to leave the Everett site but went to a second job in Revere where they were also met by police officers – both on duty and off-duty.
The officers argue that it's a safety hazard to not have police details present during roadside work.
A spokesman for the Boston police union says his members will be looking for construction sites where safety is an issue.
A spokesman for the Office of Transportation said drivers will soon see civilian flaggers at work sites in areas with speed limit posts below 45 mph. In the meantime, drivers may also see police officers at small work sites carrying picket signs.
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