Salem Firefighter Won't Receive Additional Discipline

The town has officially closed its investigation into a Salem firefighter who got interrogated at Market Basket last month, and the town won't take any additional disciplinary actions against the firefighter for incorrectly claiming the man was Selectman Stephen Campbell.

Town Manager Keith Hickey told Patch on Tuesday that the investigation into the allegations, which were debunked by the store's surveillance footage, has been completed "unless some new information is brought forward."

The firefighter was in full uniform and buying food at Market Basket for a meal at the fire station on Nov. 17 when a man he thought was Campbell asked him how many people he planned to feed, what would happen if the Salem Fire Department received an emergency call while the firefighter was in the store, and if the firefighter was able to respond to that emergency while at Market Basket, according to Hickey.

Hickey said there is "no proof" that Campbell was the man who asked those questions as part of an alleged interrogation, although Hickey said the town does believe the firefighter was approached by someone in this manner on Nov. 17.

"I don't believe the story was fabricated," said Hickey. "I have no reason to doubt that the firefighter had a conversation in Market Basket with somebody on the 17th. I haven't been able to approve at this point that did not occur."

Campbell has called for public apologies for the "witch hunt." The Salem Public Administrators Association — which brought the issue to light in a letter to Hickey — and Selectman Mike Lyons have responded to their roles in the matter.

Market Basket's surveillance video from Nov. 17 shows that the firefighter arrived at the store at 9:27 a.m. that day, and that he left at 9:45 a.m. The video also shows that Campbell arrived at 9:30 a.m. and left at 9:35 a.m. without making contact of any kind with the firefighter, according to Hickey.

The firefighter reported that the interrogation occurred in the store's produce section, although Hickey said this conversation came "after 9:35 a.m." — the time that Campbell left the store.

The incident wasn't captured on camera because Hickey said there is a "two-to-three-minute period of time" where the firefighter is "outside of the cameras' range" while in part of the produce section. The details of the firefighter's story are "consistent" with this section of the store and this short window of time, according to Hickey.

In a conversation that came after the initial report of the incident, the firefighter told Hickey and Fire Chief Kevin Breen that he was no longer "sure" the man was actually Campbell. Hickey said the firefighter was shown photos of Campbell during that conversation.

Hickey said Monday night that it's now "up to the individuals... to apologize."

No one, including any of the involved parties, had requested an appointment before the Salem Board of Selectmen for this purpose as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Hickey.

When asked if the incident may change the way the town handles future allegations and investigations of this nature due to the fact that Lyons and others have criticized the handling of the Market Basket incident, Hickey said "that's up to the board."

Hickey said it's not "abnormal" for town employees to be approached by members of the public while out at various locations in town. There have been no "documented" interrogations or incidents of this nature in the town manager's office in at least the past "two to four years," he said.




[Editor's note: Patch and Fire Chief Kevin Breen couldn't connect for an interview Tuesday, which is why he isn't quoted in this story. Additional stories about the matter will be published as needed.]