Greenfield police officer resigns following internal investigation

GREENFIELD -- A Greenfield police officer has resigned amid a sexting scandal. The officer is accused of sending racy text messages to a woman he met during an investigation. Police say the "sexting" was mutual, but the woman told FOX6 News "no way!" 

FOX6 News is not naming the officer because no criminal charges were filed against him.

The officer with less than six years of experience had contact with the female suspect during a theft investigation in August. 

According to Greenfield PD, the female later initiated phone contact with the officer while he was on duty, and the two agreed to have further phone contact while he was off duty.

"Later on that night, I got another text and he said 'this is officer so-and-so and this is my private number if you need anything,'" JoAnne Fagan told FOX6 News.

According to police, in the early morning hours of August 22nd, the officer and female suspect exchanged several consensual text messages, including photos. Police officials say the messages from the officer included several which were sexually explicit in nature.

"The texts came late at night. He started sending me texts about what he would like to do to me. I just felt sick to my stomach. I just couldn't believe that it was happening," Fagan said.

Fagan did not describe the text messages as mutual -- claiming there were two inappropriate images sent and over a dozen lewd messages.

"He said he wanted to have sex with me. He just kept going and kept going and kept going, and eventually sent me pictures of his privates," Fagan said.

When this evidence was discovered following a tip call, the officer was placed on administrative leave. Then, the internal investigation was launched, and Greenfield's police chief prepared to file charges for the officer's termination -- at which time the officer resigned.

"Part of me is relieved that he can't abuse his power anymore, and he can't do this to somebody else," Fagan said.

In a statement to FOX6 News, Greenfield Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt said: 

“The Greenfield Police Department values the high level of trust and confidence placed in our officers by the community stakeholders we serve and we are fortunate that the vast majority of police officers are honest, loyal and exhibit the highest level of honor and professionalism.

All members of the department expect that their coworkers will abide by the law enforcement code of ethics and our standards of conduct.

In this case, the department took immediate action to investigate the tip we received, even though no formal complaint of officer misconduct was ever received. We were preparing to file charges for his termination when he resigned.

The officer involved in this matter clearly engaged in behavior which does not conform to the high level of standards we expect of our personnel. His actions are an anomaly and do not represent the fine men and women of this agency.”

Fagan told FOX6 News she feels the other police officers in Greenfield are very professional, and said she's never had any issues with the Greenfield Police Department before.