A police officer in Massachusetts has resigned after he allegedly carved a swastika into another officer’s personal vehicle.
Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello said in a statement on Wednesday that officer Timothy Tufts, a 30-year-old retired Marine and veteran, was accused of etching the symbol of hatred into the paint of a colleague's car more than a year ago.
The case was reported in mid-November and Tufts was placed on leave pending an investigation, the chief said.
Marblehead police officer Timothy Tufts, a 30-year-old retired Marine and veteran, resigned from the force on Wednesday after he allegedly carved a swastika into another officer’s personal vehicle
'I am dismayed and deeply disturbed by this incident,' Picariello wrote. 'Today, there is no room for excuses of ignorance. The swastika is a symbol of hate and genocide, and we must speak up against acts of hate and hate speech whenever and wherever we encounter it.'
The chief said his department has hired an outside investigator to review the case, and the Anti-Defamation League of New England is being asked to provide training.
'I apologize to our community for this deeply disturbing and unfortunate situation, and I vow to do everything and engage every resource available to ensure that this kind of incident does not repeat itself in the future,' the chief's statement continued.
'The Marblehead Police Department is committed to equality and respect of human rights and human dignity. This incident is not representative of the dedicated, decent women and men in our agency.'
Tufts joined the Marblehead Police Department in March 2016 after earning an associate's degree in criminal justice.
According to his LinkedIn profile, which has since been deleted, Tufts is a retired US Marine who served a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2011, reported Salem News.
The Marblehead chief of police said his department has hired an outside investigator to review the case (stock photo)
Members of the town’s governing board said they were glad to hear of Tufts’ resignation. A statement from the Board of Selectmen echoed the police chief's words, insisting that the former officer's behavior 'in no way reflects the values of the department.'
'We were deeply disappointed to learn of this incident, which is both a direct contradiction of the spirit of inclusion we hold dear in our community,' the board said.
DailyMail.com on Thursday reached out to the Marblehead police, seeking comment on a possible motive behind the officer's decision to allegedly deface his co-worker's car with a swastika.
Tufts made the local news in June of this year, when he responded to a report about a racist note that was left on a couple's car on Front Street in Marblehead, reported Wicked Local.