The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has hired former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis to conduct an independent review of allegations made against former campus Officer David Laudon. Claims state that Laudon had inappropriate relationships with students, sexually assaulted another, and engaged in harassing behaviour while on duty. Laudon was also accused of conducting unwarranted vehicle stops and the report alleges that the university were involved in covering up the misconduct. Laudon later worked as a Blackstone Police Officer; following the town of Blackstone’s release of an 81-page report accusing Laudon of misconduct, the university submitted a report accusing him of the same. UMass- Dartmouth is scheduled to release the results of their investigation into Laudon’s alleged behavior following the review.
Former UMass Dartmouth Police Chief Emil Fiovaranti, who did not conduct a thorough investigation into the claims against Laudon, is now the Chief of Campus Safety at Wheaton College in Norton. Wheaton officials deny that Fiovaranti was UMass Dartmouth’s leader in the Laudon investigation, but maintains they take the allegations seriously. As yet,no referrals have been received by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office to investigate Laudon.
Ted Nesi contributed to this report.