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Officer publicly alleges retaliation over police promotion; Select Board approves two promotions and updates general orders
Summary
A Brookline police officer alleged in public comment that a sergeant was bypassed for promotion in retaliation; the Select Board later approved two promotions to lieutenant and voted to update police general orders to accreditation standards.
During public comment at the April 9 Select Board meeting, Brookline police Officer Amy Hall alleged that Sergeant Megan Keveny was bypassed for promotion in a decision she characterized as retaliation tied to Hall’s association with Keveny. Hall told the board she believed Keveny’s test scores were higher than the promoted candidate’s and asked the board to review the decision and why Keveny was bypassed.
Police leadership later appeared before the board to present updates to the department’s general orders and to recommend two permanent promotions. Chief Hugh Pastor (presenting police updates) said the department’s revisions—driven by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission and POST mandates—largely formalize existing practices and add required training such as a duty-to-intervene module. He described the promotional process as based on a certified civil-service list, test scores, panel interviews, personnel-file reviews and other standard measures. The chief presented Sergeant Noah Brother and Sergeant Robert Collins for promotion to lieutenant. After discussion the board approved the general-order updates and both promotions unanimously.
The board did not undertake disciplinary or investigatory action during the meeting; the public comment raised an allegation that the department and board may address through internal processes or further inquiry. The promotions and policy update were put to a roll-call vote and recorded as approved by the board.
