Boston Police Headquarters Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Staff
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Boston Police Department has fired two outspoken critics of the city's pandemic-era vaccine mandates. Sgt. Shana Cottone was a loud voice in the anti-vaccine mandate movement in 2021, leading rallies against the mandate. Officer Joseph Abasciano, also active in the movement, was fired as well.
Cottone's group, Boston First Responders United, called the firings "politically motivated" and "retaliation for speaking out." They further charged that Boston Police Internal Affairs top brass and Mayor Michelle Wu's office had colluded to make the firings happen.
Cottone was placed on leave in early 2022 for a "disciplinary matter" and Abasciano was on paid medical leave. Abasciano was investigated for possible involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots in Washington, D.C., and eventually moved to New Hampshire according to the Boston Globe. Both were listed as "not certified" by the state's POST police commission as of February 20.
In a statement to WBZ NewsRadio, Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the department fired Cottone because of "multiple violations of several Department rules and procedures" and that the department conducted six separate internal affairs investigations into Cottone.
"Cottone’s conduct in these cases reflects a pattern and inability to adhere to the rules and procedures of this Department," Cox said. "These violations along with Cottone’s disciplinary history render her unsuitable to continue her employment with the Boston Police Department and thus her employment has been terminated."
Commissioner Cox also said the department fired Abasciano because he violated the department's code of ethics.
"While in the Department’s employ, Abaciano authored a series of social media posts that called into question his ability to provide police services in an unbiased and objective manner," Cox said. "Abasciano’s conduct impairs the operation of this Department and its employees by diminishing the Departments’ reputation and trust within the community."
Mayor Wu's office has so far declined comment.
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