EX-BILLERICA COP: NO BASIS FOR FIRING

BILLERICA -- Arguing that the punishment doesn't fit the crime, fired
Billerica police Officer Dean Royston said administrators had their minds
made up long before a hearing last week. Royston, 45, was fired after it
was determined he bought and used marijuana, provided false information
during an investigation and violated numerous departmental regulations. "It
was more like a lynching than a hearing," said Royston, who is black and
the department's only minority officer. "Now I know how my ancestors felt."

Despite his comment, Royston said he has never been subjected to racism on
the force.

"They had their minds made up when they walked into the hearing," he said.
"There's no basis to a lot of these charges that they came up with. They
rattled off charges, but they could not give me specifics. When have I
acted in a matter unbecoming an officer? They couldn't tell me."

Royston, who has been with the department on a full-time basis since 1985,
said the decision would be appealed before the Civil Service Commission.
According to Royston's attorney, Eugene Patrick McCann, the commission will
hear all the facts of the case and decide whether to uphold the decision to
fire Royston.

Police Chief Daniel Rosa recommended Royston's firing after an
investigation that was assisted by the Middlesex District Attorney's
office. Town Manager Richard Montuori fired him last Friday.

Rosa was not available for comment yesterday on Royston's claims, and last
week declined to discuss specifics of the investigation. But he said at the
time that Royston had to be fired because "the integrity of the entire
department needs to be protected and preserved."

"This is totally wrong," Royston said. "First of all, I don't know how they
can say that I was untruthful during an investigation. I told them
everything they wanted to know. I admit that I purchased marijuana and used
it, and there definitely should be some discipline, but I think termination
is too severe. I think they had it out for me from the beginning."

Royston says he was set up. Several days after buying the half-ounce bag,
which he intended to use while away on vacation, Royston said the Billerica
Police Department arrested the person who made the deal. That person, who
neither Royston nor police would name, immediately fingered Royston and
asked for a deal.

"They sent him back to me and tried to get me to buy cocaine or heroin,"
Royston said. "He went back and told them that I wouldn't do it."

Royston said his problem with the department stems from his friendship with
Leicester Street resident Michelle Kennedy, who has a lawsuit pending
against the department. Royston said he complied with Rosa's directive not
to have contact with Kennedy, but only while he was on duty.

"It's within my rights to be friends with her," he said. "I never discussed
the case with her. There have been no clandestine activities. We've been
out for coffee in plain sight. I have nothing to hide."

Royston said he was suspended for two days earlier in the year after he was
seen with Kennedy at a Dunkin' Donuts. Royston also says the officer who
conducted the investigation had an ongoing relationship with Kennedy that
ended badly. Royston thinks the officer has a vendetta against him because
of the friendship.

"He's still trying to get back with her, and she wants nothing to do with
him," Royston said. "Does that tell you anything?"

Kennedy referred all questions to her attorney, Frederick Gilgun of
Lexington. Gilgun was not available.

"All I'll say is that Dean is a great guy and a good friend, and he doesn't
deserve what happened to him," Kennedy said.

Royston, who is divorced, has had to explain the firing and news stories to
his two sons, who are 14 and 10.

"It hasn't been easy, but I've let them know that, yes, I made a bad
mistake and now I'm dealing with the consequences. ... There were no
criminal charges filed, and in criminal court this would have been
dismissed. They felt that I was into something bigger. Face it. They wanted
my job," he said.

Royston said he would be willing to undergo random drug testing, but he
wants his job back.

"I've been a good cop and excelled in every assignment they've given me.
.. It's like they're telling me that I'm not worth the time or effort to
get some help or substance-abuse counseling," he said.

Royston has performed a host of duties on the force, ranging from
mountain-bicycle patrol to teaching water safety in the elementary schools
and at summer camps.

"I love this job," he said. "I'm truly sorry for letting everyone down, but
I'm not a drug user. I had use of it once. I didn't go out and get high
every day of the week. I tried to explain, but they refused to listen."