Union prez: Mayor retaliated for protest
By George P. Hassett

A 30 year Somerville police veteran was removed from a desirable position within the department because he participated in his union’s picketing of City Hall last week, said Patrolmen’s Union President Jack Leutcher.

Officer Bruce Campbell had been working as the city‚Äôs licensing commission officer when he participated in the patrolmen union‚Äôs Oct. 18 picketing of City Hall. The picket was organized because of grievances the police and fire unions have with Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and his handling of contract negotiations. Neither union currently has a contract. At Wednesday‚Äôs protest, a video recorder was placed in the open window of the city solicitor‚Äôs office to capture the event. 
Campbell participated in the protest and was relieved of his duty as the city‚Äôs licensing commission officer but not of his job as a police officer, said Leutcher. The reason for the dismissal — revenge, said Leutcher.
“The mayor felt the liquor officer could not be seen picketing outside City Hall. Joe took it as a protest against him, but Bruce was just exercising his legal right to support his union,” he said. “If you ask me, it was rather petty of the mayor to do it.”
“Now we know why the camera was out there,” he said.
Curtatone spokesperson Thomas P. Champion declined to comment on Campbell’s dismissal from the alcoholic beverage post. Officer Warren Chaille will replace Campbell, Leutcher said.
The licensing commission officer inspects and monitors each of the city’s liquor licenses. Campbell is widely respected for his hard work and integrity throughout the city, said Leutcher. He had previously been the community police officer in Ward 4.
“Bruce Campbell was all over Ward 4, working with kids and making himself available for anybody who needed help,” said Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero. “He was firm when he had to be but he had an easygoing manner about him that the kids responded to.”
Leutcher said Campbell was respected in all corners of the city.
‚ÄúJoe Curtatone is the first person I ever heard of that had a problem with Bruce Campbell,‚Äù he said.