FALL RIVER, MA — The Fall River Police Department defended its investigation into alleged criminal harassment involving a fake social media account that targeted one of its officers.
The department said it investigated posts made by a Facebook account under the name “Timothy James” that identified an officer assigned to a federal task force.
Police said the posts repeatedly harassed the officer and resulted in the officer resigning from the task force assignment.
The department said it was investigating a potential violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265 Section 43A, which defines criminal harassment as willfully and maliciously engaging in a pattern of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms them.
Police said the law carries a penalty of up to 2½ years in a house of correction or a fine of up to $5,000.
The department said a search warrant was reviewed and approved by a clerk magistrate based on an affidavit outlining concerns of harassment and safety.
After identifying the individual responsible for the posts, police said the matter was not pursued criminally and was instead handled through communication with the Swansea Police Department.
Police said they exercised discretion given the situation of the person responsible for the posts and allowed the other agency to conduct its own investigation and impose discipline.
The department said it does not identify officers’ assignments to federal task forces, though it acknowledges naming officers as members of the agency and their unit assignments.
Police said the use of a fake social media profile to repeatedly target an officer raises concerns related to harassment, officer safety and interference with law enforcement operations.
