A doctored photo that compared Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty and the city’s COVID-19 restrictions to the actions of Adolph Hitler in World War II appeared on the police union’s public Facebook page on Monday, prompting a response from both District 1 city council candidates, one of which is the union president.
Richard Cipro, a longtime Worcester police officer and head of its union, apologized twice on Monday for the post that included a photo comparing Petty to Hitler after officials announced an indoor mask mandate in Worcester. The mandate went into effect on Monday.
In his first statement, Cipro posted on the union’s page that the offensive post had been removed and apologized to anyone who found the photo offensive.
“We had to remove a member for a post that was distasteful, which is an understatement. If anyone found that item to be offensive, we apologize. Once we were notified the post was removed immediately,” Cipro said.
Cipro’s statement prompted a response from District 1 City Councilor Sean Rose, who questioned the union president’s leadership.
Cipro and Rose emerged as the two District 1 candidates after the preliminary elections in Worcester last week, which resulted in Cipro leading with 51% of the vote - 1,384 ballots - to Rose’s 45.3%, 1,227 votes. David Shea received 95 votes for under 4%.
“Worcester Police Union President Richard Cipro’s response is unacceptable,” Rose said. “Simply removing the post because mainstream media began asking uncomfortable questions or stating, ‘if anyone found that item offensive, we apologize,’ is not what leadership is about.”
Rose called on Cipro to apologize publicly to Petty and unequivocally condemn the post on a page that has received criticism in the past for offensive posts.
“Hate speech has no place in our city. Anti-semitic acts have no place in our city,” Rose said. “For too long, the Worcester Police Union Facebook page has been very divisive and extremely insensitive to a number of people in our community under President Cipro’s leadership. Enough is enough.”
Less than two hours after Rose’s statement, Cipro posted a second apology on the union’s Facebook page. Cipro said he reached out to Petty to apologize and that the post wasn’t from a police officer or police official.
Cipro said new steps have been implemented to properly vet posts in the future. “We have instituted post approval! Posts will now be reviewed and authorized! Sorry for the inconvenience for those who follow the rules, but as we know a few bad apples ruin it for everyone!”
Cipro also said he hoped the person who posted the photo would also issue an apology to Petty and the city of Worcester.
“Everyone as we have previously stated we apologize for a meme post earlier today, condemn its depiction, and have already publicly stated the we will not and do not tolerate hate speech in any form,” Cipro said.
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