Duxbury
Sean Moran, who has been charged with assault and attempted murder on his girlfriend, a Milton police officer, has been fired from the Duxbury Police Department.
In Town Manager Richard MacDonald’s written decision to fire Moran, he stated that Moran violated the police department’s rules by committing acts that are arrestable offenses.
“In doing so, Officer Moran has made a mockery of his badge and the responsibilities it signifies,” MacDonald stated.
MacDonald went on to state that Moran’s actions undercut the reputation and morale of the department.
“The public cannot place confidence in police officers who themselves violate the standards to which they are required to apply to others,” he stated.
Moran, 30, was arrested Nov. 9 after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend by smashing her head against a highway overpass fence and used his fists to smash the dashboard of the vehicle she was driving. At a dangerousness hearing in November, Norfolk County Judge Mark Coven ruled that Moran was a danger to his girlfriend and ordered him held without bail.
During the hearing, Quincy Police Sgt. Joseph Lencki testified that Moran’s girlfriend called a friend and stayed outside until the friend arrived because she was afraid of what he would do to her.
On Jan. 17, Moran was indicted by Norfolk County Superior Court on charges of intimidation of a witness, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (a gun), malicious destruction of property exceeding $250; three counts of assault and battery, and one count of threatening to commit a crime. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for the most serious charge, armed assault with intent to murder.
On Feb. 7, Moran pleaded not guilty to all charges. On May 5, he was released on $10,000 bail after the 90-day dangerousness statute under which he was being held expired. Prosecutors asked for bail to be set at $100,000 cash, but the court set bail at $10,000. Moran is required to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet on his ankle, and he will reside at his parents’ home in Duxbury.
Moran has been on administrative leave from the Duxbury Police Department since he was arrested, at which time the department immediately confiscated his badge and gun.
MacDonald based his findings for firing Moran on a document prepared from a hearing conducted by attorney Charles M. Sabatt, who MacDonald designated as the hearing officer for Moran’s disciplinary hearing.
Sabatt concluded that Moran committed four violations specified by Police Chief Mark DeLuca, leading to his finding that Moran’s actions granted punishment or dismissal. The four violations were conduct unbecoming of an officer, neglect of duty, criminal conduct and absence.
In his decision, MacDonald found the that first two items in Sabatt’s conclusion warranted enough reason for Moran’s dismissal, and that the other two items were not necessary to support to his decision that Moran violated department policy.
“My decision was based on the facts as presented to me by the hearing officer,” MacDonald said. “This whole situation is unfortunate.”
The first violation in Sabatt’s report stemmed from the incident which led to his arrest, and the second referred to an Oct. 18, 2007, incident in which Moran allegedly removed his girlfriend’s loaded duty weapon and threatened to kill her and kill her and himself if she reported the incident.
The third violation in Sabatt’s report cited further incidents of alleged abuse by Moran, and the final violation was Moran’s unexcused absence from his duties as a police officer while incarcerated. Sabatt stated that Moran’s incarceration was caused by his own misconduct, which does not excuse him from his duty.
A disciplinary hearing for Moran was held on Jan. 24, and continued on April 1 at the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office. Moran, who is due back in court June 17 at 2 p.m., has the right to appeal his firing.
Moran’s lawyer, Daniel O’Malley, could not be reached for comment.
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