Cambridge Police Superintendent Apologizes After Vulgar Tweet Against Rep. Kennedy

A Cambridge police superintendent apologized for a vulgar message against U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III on the department’s official account.

Superintendent Jack Albert, in a statement, said he took "full ownership and responsibility" for a tweet Sunday calling Kennedy “another liberal (expletive) jerk."

"Unfortunately, in a moment of heated political debate with friends, I posted commentary that was out of character and not something I am proud of," Albert said in the statement. "I – not the department – deserve the criticism that has been directed to the Police Department over the last 24 hours."

The tweet sent on the department’s official Twitter account was in response to a story by WCVB-TV, which quoted Kennedy calling the distribution of personal protective gear in the U.S. “embarrassing.”

Albert's tweet also said that Kennedy “happens to be better then [sic] the clown he’s running against. Sad for us.” Kennedy is running against incumbent Sen. Ed Markey.

The post was deleted after Alpert realized it wasn’t sent from his own personal account, according to Jeremy Warnick, a Cambridge Police Department spokesman.

Alpert apologized to Kennedy, Markey, the Cambridge community and his fellow officers.

"During this unprecedented time and COVID-19, my colleagues at the Cambridge Police Department have been doing extraordinary work supporting and protecting our residents," Alpert said. "To detract from their exemplary efforts because of my poor lapse in judgement is something that I will forever carry with me."

The department said in the statement that Albert will be subject to disciplinary action but wouldn't say what that will be. Alpert, a 32-year veteran of the department, ranks just below the police commissioner.

The department's social media protocols now restrict access to the communications director.

Shortly after the post was taken down, the department issued a series of tweets, apologizing for Albert's “political commentary” and calling the message “inappropriate, unprofessional and disrespectful.”

The police force added, “These actions do not reflect the professionalism that we as a department take great pride in & we want to sincerely apologize to the Congressman and those individuals the statement was directed at.”

Kennedy could not immediately be reached for comment.

This post has been updated with the identity of the officer who sent the tweet, and his apology.