“In January, school administration at Mohawk Trail Regional School (MTRS) began investigating an allegation of an inappropriate relationship between a student and the SRO assigned to Mohawk Trail. Parents of students involved in the allegation and investigation were notified, and the SRO was immediately removed from the Forensics class he was co-teaching with an MTRS teacher. I spoke with Chief Bardwell and asked that the SRO not return to MTRS until the investigation was concluded. Given the nature of the allegation, MTRS administration stopped its investigation, and a 51A was filed with the Department of Children and Families. The case was then referred to the Northwest District Attorney’s Office. Due to a conflict of interest, the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office accepted the case. Throughout this time period, I spoke with Chief Bardwell and asked that the SRO remain off duty to the schools, including contacting staff, students, and families. The district followed all procedures in investigating the allegation and collaborating with appropriate agencies.
On Friday, March 28th, the District received a final report from the Berkshire County Assistant District Attorney, Rachael Eramo. I am disheartened to share that the result of the investigation revealed that inappropriate conduct did occur. While not criminal, the relationship falls well outside the district’s expectation for professional conduct. As a result, we will be working to find a new SRO for MTRSD.”

Community members of Shelburne Falls and Franklin County, Ma including but not limited to students/parents of Mohawk Trail Regional School District are dismayed by the recent decision of the Shelburne Falls Selectboard to retain Detective Jenkins position with the Shelburne Falls Police Department, following the above mentioned investigation and decision made by the school district.

While many community members applaud the district for being proactive in this unfortunate situation of misconduct, unprofessionalism, and abuse of power dynamics by Detective Jenkins - we are left feeling betrayed, confused, and extremely concerned by the town’s decision to still allow him to remain in a position of authority, which affords him the opportunity to repeat his actions - or worse.

Police officers often deal with the most vulnerable populations - including students and children - and should be held to the upmost standards of morals and ethics, which includes clearly maintaining appropriate and professional boundaries - no matter the situation.

Detective Tucker has shown he is incapable of doing so with this instance alone, and while the community members have not been afforded the opportunity to see the details of the investigation we are confident that the school district made the correct decision in preventing him further access to students and children in the district,. However, that does thing to protect the children, or general population, of our community.

Furthermore, it is very concerning to us that he is still working with the Children’s Advocacy Center. If Detective Tucker is unable to maintain boundaries with a student at the school he was both a School Resource Officer and teacher of, community members feel confident that maintaining and enforcing appropriate boundaries are something he struggles with professionally.

Additionally, many community members (most of whom wish to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation) have come forward to express concerns that have existed years prior to this investigation.

One example of those well-known concerns includes Detective Tucker dating a 16 year old student at MTRSD when he was 22 years old.

At that time he was barred from coaching in the school district due to dating a student. The name of the individual is known by many as their relationship was open, but out of respect of that individual who was being groomed - her name is being withheld from this petition.

We once again ask that the Selectboard, Chief, and CAC re-evaluate these decisions not only based on the details and decisions of the above investigation that they have access to, but also based on a clear and concerning pattern of behavior that has been and continues to pose a threat to our community and the safety of our children.

Sources:

(1) School letter sent from Superintendent of school district via email.

(2) https://www.recorder.com/Berkshire-County-DA-says-no-crime-occurred-in-student-officer-relationship-at-Mohawk-Trail-60379533

(3) https://www.recorder.com/Shelburne-Selectboard-determines-police-detective-will-retain-job-60435237