An anabolic steroids investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and possibly other federal agencies have led to internal affairs probes of steroid use by multiple Massachusetts law enforcement departments. The Pittsfield Police Department and Massachusetts State Police have acknowledged being alerted by an “outside law enforcement agency” that specific officers were involved in purchasing steroids.
Pittsfield Police Officer David P. Kirchner, a narcotics investigator with the Berkshire County Drug Task Force, was suspended and demoted in rank to a patrol officers after reaching an agreement with the department. An internal probe by the Pittsfield Police determined that Kirchner violated two of the department’s rules and regulations i.e. “criminal conduct” and “conduct unbecoming of an officer”.
Electronic evidence, including recorded text messages, detail the types of drugs Kirchner wanted to buy, according to the internal affairs report. Written and audio statements given by an unidentified individual to investigators indicate that “Kirchner purchased the illegal drugs for personal use,” the internal report states.
“In the text messages, both Kirchner and [name deleted] talk openly of using steroids, buying steroids, selling steroids and so on,” Granger stated.
Because of Kirchner’s role as a city and countywide drug investigator, “he held a position of great trust in the local law enforcement community, the courts and the community at large,” Granger stated.
“Based on this investigation, [Kirchner’s] conduct off duty and on duty have brought reproach and discredit to both himself as a police officer and to his fellow officers. A narcotic investigator buying and using illegal substances has committed an act that has brought great reproach and discredit upon the [Pittsfield Police] Department,” Granger stated.
The name of the Massachusetts State Police trooper under investigation was not disclosed. However, the trooper was at least temporarily demoted pending the conclusion of an internal affairs investigation.
The trooper, who is stationed at the Russell barracks and is believed to live in Berkshire County, was placed on “restricted duty.” That means he was stripped of his service weapon and cruiser and placed on “desk duty,” according to David Procopio, a state police spokesman in Framingham.
It is not clear if the Massachusetts law enforcement officers will face criminal charges. Heavily redacted documents obtained by local newspapers have identified the steroid source for the officers as a “defendant”. This designation usually suggests that the individual has been criminally charged.
Steroid use by cops becomes a problem as long as steroids are illegal. A cop who illegally obtains steroids on the black market, especially a narcotics agent involved in an investigative drug task force, becomes more vulnerable to blackmail, corruption and participation.
However, steroid use by cops isn’t necessarily bad in itself. The media usually suggests that cops on steroids are a risk to the public because steroids allegedly cause irrational aggression and ‘roid rage’. The concept of roid rage arises from pop culture mythology rather than scientific evidence.
About Millard Baker