Brookline top cop latest to step down

Brookline’s police chief has announced his intention to step down as the department’s leader, saying it was “untenable” for him to remain at the helm, making him the latest of several chiefs to depart as debates over policing continue to rage.

“It has been an honor to serve as the Chief of the Brookline Police Department and to lead a group of men and women of whom the overwhelming majority do a difficult job with honor, integrity and professionalism,” Brookline Police chief Andrew Lipson wrote in the resignation letter he submitted Friday to town officials that was obtained by the Herald. “However, it is untenable to remain in this position.”

Lipson, a 22-year veteran officer who was appointed chief in 2018, said he would resign effective Sept. 1, and stated his intention to return to his prior rank of lieutenant and deputy superintendent of the department at that time.

“I have full confidence that the women and men of the Brookline Police Department will continue to rise to the challenge of this moment in history as we have so many times before,” he wrote. Lipson couldn’t be reached for comment on Saturday.

Activists who have been pushing the town’s select board to better address racism and to reallocate 50% of the police budget toward public schools and affordable housing said they “welcome the chief ’s resignation.”

“This is institutional racism that we’re dealing with. We’re not just asking for one guy to quit. We want the whole system to change. This is a good first step. We’d like to see more from the town,” Brookline resident Chiuba Obele, a leading organizer to defund the town’s police, said.

The group plans to protest at 8 a.m. Sunday in Olmsted Park. This comes after more than a month of near-daily demonstrations over treatment of minorities following several high-profile police killings of Black people.

Lipson’s departure is the latest of several chiefs during that time. Framingham Chief Steven Trask announced on June 17 that he would be retiring — effective June 26, a week and a half later.

Revere Chief James Guido retired June 22, and Newton Chief David MacDonald announced on June 16 that he was going to step down. MacDonald’s department had come under criticism for their treatment of a Black former Northeastern University assistant athletic director who they rolled up on with guns drawn as they searched for someone accused in a killing.