FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 2, 2020

CONTACT
Allison Mitchell
Communications Director
allison@massdems.org | (617) 939-0800

Statement from MassDems Chair Gus Bickford on Charlie Baker’s Silence on Sheriff Hodgson’s Abuses

BOSTON — It’s been a full week since Charlie Baker was confronted with the troubling report detailing findings that Bristol County Sheriff Hodgson and his Department used excessive force against ICE detainees, violating their civil rights. It’s been a full week since Baker said “we’ll get back to you with a response” when asked for a reaction from a reporter. The report calls upon the Baker Administration to take specific action including recommending that EOPSS conduct a review of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office’s policies and procedures. Below is a statement from Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford:

“Is Charlie Baker waiting for more violence and more harm to be caused before he takes the very reasonable steps recommended by the Attorney General? The 60-page report by the AG’s Office paints a very disturbing picture of how the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office has been run under the supervision of Thomas Hodgson. But apparently, the kind of violence against detainees that was described in the report isn’t even worth a reaction, let alone real action from Charlie Baker.”

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