MARSHFIELD – One of the town’s two constables has been temporarily suspended while state and Marshfield police investigate his involvement in a potential criminal case.



At the request of police Chief Phillip Tavares, selectmen voted Tuesday to suspend Thomas R. Jackson for 30 days pending the investigation.



The investigation stems from an Aug. 7 incident in which Jackson allegedly approached two women in a parking lot in Marshfield and showed them a State Police identification card.



Tavares told selectmen police learned Jackson told the women he was a State Police officer working on a domestic violence case and needed their assistance. “One woman offered to call the local police,” Tavares said. Jackson allegedly replied, “No. It’s a State Police matter and the locals don’t need to be involved,” Tavares said.



“In a phone interview with Mr. Jackson, two days later, he admitted he showed his old police ID – a State Police ID,” Tavares said.



Jackson served as a Metropolitan Police officer from 1970 through 1979, Tavares said. The now-defunct organization was one of several merged with the State Police in 1992 after Jackson had retired.



During the phone interview with police, Jackson stated he often shows the ID when approaching people to make them feel comfortable and “on three separate occasions he was desperate to get help for the victim of domestic violence,” Tavares said.



Selectmen voted to suspend Jackson and send him a letter entitling him to a hearing before the board. At that point, it could be determined if Jackson will return as constable, be terminated, or something in between, Tavares said.



Jackson has been a constable with Marshfield police since 1992, Tavares said. A constable has general police duties, but can become involved only in civil cases, not criminal, Tavares said. Domestic violence would be considered a criminal matter, he added.



Selectmen Chairman John Hall said this the first time in his six years on the board that the police have ever requested a constable’s suspension.



Reach Kristi Funderburk at kfunderburk@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @kfunder.



