Howard is quoted in this article about the Springfield Police’s culture of drinking alcohol while on the clock: Testimony Raises Questions About Drinking By Police At Springfield, Mass., Headquarters. At least 6 officers in the narcotics unit have admitted to observing or participating in drinking at the police station. Numerous officers acknowledged that the station had a vending machine full of beers.
This testimony came to light because of a 2016 incident in which SPD officers assaulted our client, who was 14 at the time. Our client was brought to the ground and repeatedly bitten by a police dog. While our client was handcuffed, Officer Gregg Bigda kicked him in the face and spit on him. Later, Officer Bigda was recorded on video at the Palmer police station threatening two other boys and bragging about how he could brutalize them and plant drugs on them with impunity. Officer Bigda is alleged to have been drinking rum throughout the evening. Other SPD officers were alleged to have also been drinking and to have been aware of Officer Bigda’s intoxication.