The Town of Westwood, Westwood Police Department, and Westwood Police Association, Massachusetts Coalition of Police, AFL-CIO, Local 174, issue the following joint statement regarding the ongoing appointing authority proceedings of Officer Abbatangelo:

The Town of Westwood and the Westwood Police Department hold all personnel to the highest professional standards. Upholding these standards is essential to maintaining the trust and safety of our community.

We take any violation of professional expectations extremely seriously. All employees are required to conduct themselves with professionalism, fairness, and respect at all times. When actions fall short, accountability is necessary to ensure the continued confidence of the public we serve.

Officer Abbatangelo, a 24‑year veteran of the department subject to an ongoing appointing authority hearing relating to professional conduct, has agreed to accept the discipline imposed thereby resolving and ending the pending proceedings. He has expressed sincere regret to the members of the Westwood Police Department, and is committed to getting past these events and taking all steps necessary to return to full duty so he can return to active duty and serving the community and department he cares so deeply about.

The Town of Westwood, the Westwood Police Department, Westwood Police Union, and Officer Abbatangelo remain committed to supporting a professional, respectful work environment for all members of the department. We thank Acting Chief DiLalla for his assistance in facilitating a mutually agreeable resolution that both honors the professional standards described above and allows a dedicated police officer to continue his career in public service.  We look forward to moving forward together and continuing our shared mission of serving the people of Westwood with professionalism and integrity.

The parties will issue no further public comments on this subject, as it is a personnel matter.