Massachusetts police officer placed on leave for alleged role at “Unite the Right” rally

A Massachusetts Police Department has placed a member on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct.

Chief Rufo of the Woburn Police Department recently learned that Officer John Donnelly allegedly participated in and was active in the planning of the so-called “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017. Participants included members of white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups and the Ku Klux Klan, some of whom carried weapons and chanted racist and antisemitic slogans.

Upon learning about the officer’s role, Chief Rufo placed Donnelly on leave and ordered an internal affairs review. The officer will remain on leave until the review is completed. Officer Donnelly was a reserve officer at the time of his alleged participation in the Charlottesville rally.

“The Charlottesville rally is a dark moment in our history, and deeply disturbing,” Mayor Galvin said. “The City of Woburn is taking these allegations seriously by investigating the incident thoroughly and I will move to terminate Officer Donnelly if the investigation concludes that the allegations are accurate.”

“What was said and done in Charlottesville is in direct opposition to the core values of the Woburn Police Department, to serve all members of our community equally and treat them with dignity and respect,” Chief Rufo said. “Should this allegation be sustained, the Woburn Police Department will ask Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to decertify Officer Donnelly, ensuring he may no longer serve in law enforcement in Massachusetts.”