William Farwell's Police Certification Revoked Amidst Murder Charges

William Farwell, a former Stoughton police officer, had his police certification permanently revoked by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission following an internal investigation. This investigation revealed that he, along with his twin brother Matthew Farwell and former Deputy Police Chief Robert Devine, violated department policies related to the death of Sandra Birchmore. The POST Commission accepted a voluntary agreement from William Farwell, which included waiving his rights to contest the allegations against him. Matthew Farwell was arrested in August on federal charges for allegedly strangling Birchmore in her Canton apartment in 2021 and attempting to stage her death as a suicide. At the time of her death, Birchmore was pregnant and had informed Matthew that he was the father. The investigation also uncovered that Matthew had an inappropriate relationship with Birchmore when she was a minor, having met her through the Stoughton Police Department's youth explorers program. William Farwell admitted to having a sexual relationship with Birchmore for about two years while she was an adult, and he exchanged explicit messages and photos with her while on duty. Despite these findings, he does not currently face any criminal charges related to the case. The revocation of William Farwell's certification underscores the serious nature of the allegations and the internal misconduct within the police department. The case highlights the broader implications of police accountability and the need for ethical conduct among law enforcement officers.