Police in Medford, Massachusetts, are protesting over what they're calling "deplorable conditions" inside their aging police station.
Officers protested Tuesday night at City Hall over what they say is a matter of health and safety regarding the 50-year-old structure on Main Street.
"We've had numerous rats trapped in the snap traps so officers show up to work before roll call and they're greeted with dead rats right in front of the station," said Medford Police Officer, Rory Lockowitz.
Photos provided to necn show moldy showers, a window propped open with a raid can, and moldy and leaking ceiling tiles.
Officers also say some of the police cruisers are rusty and deficient. It's not just about cosmetic issues, according to officers, it's about their health and safety.
"It's not a very clean place and really a difficult place to do police work today because it's really antiquated," said Harold MacGilvray, Medford Police Union President.
necn also spoke with officer Barbara DeCristofaro, a 29-year veteran of the Medford Police Department. DeCristofaro says she's even filed a discrimination suit against the city for equal facilities for women, including a female locker room with a bathroom and shower.
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"After years of complaining, they put us in a public bathroom on the second floor," DeCristofaro said. "After complaining some more, they finally put a lock on the door, and that's where we've been ever since."
Medford Mayor Stephanie Burke has only been mayor for 11 months, and the police officers say that she inherited much of the problem. Still, they say progress has been non-existent or slow-moving.
necn has a call into Burke's office for comment.
