TEWKSBURY — Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus praised the recent changes allowing Tewksbury Hospital security personnel to carry defensive tools again in certain areas, but he said there are still discussions to be had with the state.
Tewksbury Hospital’s security personnel had defensive tools such as pepper gel, handcuffs and batons taken away in a decision by the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services announced April 2. After an outcry from town officials, and a number of publicized incidents at the hospital resulting in criminal charges since that decision, those tools were returned to the tool belts of campus security, but only outside of clinical areas.
After having the new policy formally presented to him, Columbus said in a statement Wednesday he was “pleased” to see the tools returned, and called it “an important step toward improving safety for staff, first responders, patients and the surrounding community.”
“I want to thank Secretary of Public Safety Gina Kwon for her leadership and continued commitment to ensuring that public safety remains a priority throughout this process. Her efforts and willingness to engage in these discussions are appreciated,” said Columbus.
While it is a step in the right direction in Columbus’ view, he said “there is still significant work that must be done to ensure the safety of everyone involved at the facility.”
“Public safety cannot be treated as an afterthought in an environment as complex and potentially dangerous as Tewksbury State Hospital,” said Columbus. “On a regular basis, prisoner transport vehicles are dropping off and picking up individuals at the hospital who are involved in the criminal justice system. The Commonwealth cannot ignore or minimize this reality. Transparency and honest discussions about the risks associated with the facility are necessary to develop effective safety policies.”
The removal of the defensive tools from the hospital campus was controversial in part because of the presence of forensic patients, sent there by the court system, who typically have past criminal histories and are being treated through the Department of Mental Health under a court order.
The security at the hospital surrounding those patients had become a point of friction between the town and its hospital after a number of incidents in which hospital staff were assaulted, other patients were assaulted or patients with violent criminal histories escaped the campus into the surrounding area, prompting police responses.
Columbus said the concerns over the continued restrictions on using the defensive tools in clinical areas with DMH beds “will continue to be part of ongoing discussions as we work toward policies that properly balance therapeutic goals with the safety and security needs of staff, public safety personnel, patients, and the community.”
“Our focus remains on ensuring that no one is placed in unnecessary danger and that public safety is given the consideration it deserves,” said Columbus.
Under the current policy, Tewksbury Hospital security can carry the tools as they did before, but when entering a clinical area they must first leave the tools in a rapid-access locked safe. In situations where a patient or a visitor is being aggressive, threatening others or is armed with a weapon, the security team will still request a law enforcement response.
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