PAX Centurion - March / April 2014

Page 22 • PAX CENTURION • March/April 2014 617-989-BPPA (2772) Representing and providing counsel to members of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association since 1993 regarding critical incidents, criminal and departmental investigations, and civil rights matters. Many members have also sought our guidance and representation in a wide variety of matters, particularly personal injury claims on behalf of injured officers and/or their family and friends. We also provide representation in criminal and civil litigation, real estate and estate planning. We invite you to learn more about Byrne & Drechsler, LLP by visiting our website – ByrneDrechsler.com JAMES E. BYRNE XXXXXXXX THOMAS DRECHSLER KENNETH H. ANDERSON • RICHARD P. MAZZOCCA • ERIC S. GOLDMAN • JONATHAN E. TOBIN • JOSEPH A. MERLINO 50 Redfield Street, Boston, MA 02122 (617) 265-3900 • Fax (617) 265-3627 Peer Support Unit shake-up, but why?… By James Carnell, Pax Editor fighters who may have sustained traumatic brain injuries near/ or related to the Marathon bombings to be flown there – all expenses paid – for several days of treatment. 6. Began a program at McLean’s Hospital in Belmont which cur- rently has a segregated unit specifically for police officers suffer- ing from stress-related issues. 7. He also instituted several programs for military veteran police officers suffering from PTSD issues and was in the process of setting up additional programs with Brigham andWomen’s Hospital and other local hospitals and clinics. Having been the victim of similar whispering campaigns in the past year, I know exactly what Sgt. Fleming has just been through. His good name, years of commitment and dedication to the officers and families of this department have been dragged through the mud for no legitimate reason. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, Brian has been relentless in restoring trust, confidence, integrity and commitment back into the efforts of the unit. As a result, Brian and the unit have enjoyed much support from all three unions. He is now in limbo, assigned to Headquar- ters, at least on paper, until this matter is resolved. The BPPA is hopeful that that the department, under the new leadership of Comm. Evans, will recognize the effort and hard work of Sgt. Fleming and restore him to his previous position in the Peer Support Unit. We continue to encourage all officers who might need support to seek assistance whenever they feel they need it, but again, recognize that Sgt. Fleming performed outstand- ing work and saved hundreds of officers over the years. A pparently as a result of differences in the decision making and the direction of the unit a malicious whispering campaign has appar- ently resulted in the transfer/re-assignment of Sgt. Brian Fleming of the BPD peer support unit. For many years, Sgt. Fleming was in charge of the unit, which provided support for the BPD’s officers (and many other departments) following critical incidents and other job-related problems. Like the Salem witch trials in 1692, accusations can be made against good people who then are forced to prove themselves innocent of false charges. How does one prove a negative? Sgt. Brian Fleming, during his tenure at the peer-support unit, saved many officers jobs and indeed their lives. During his tenure at the stress unit, Sgt. Fleming accomplished a number of achievements, among them: 1. Increasing the number of AA meetings to accommodate officer’s varied schedules 2. Increasing the number of hours that clinicians were available to see officers 3. Organized a comprehensive critical incident response follow- ing the Boston Marathon Bombing- over nearly a 1000 officers debriefed at 57 meetings in 9 days. 4. Obtained concessions from Harvard Pilgrim health Insurance to allow extended time for treatment of officers who exhibited symptoms of traumatic stress 5. Organized and formulated programs in conjunction with national- ly-renowned medical experts from places such as the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center that allowed officers/ EMT’s and fire-