UPDATE: Former Groton Police Officer Omar Connor has been officially decertified by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) following serious allegations of sexual harassment involving students and educational staff. The ruling, made on November 20, 2023, underscores a troubling pattern of misconduct that has shocked the local community.
The POST Commission ruled that Connor, who previously served as a school resource officer at Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, exhibited “a pattern of unprofessional conduct that may escalate.” The decision highlights Connor’s unfitness for duty, stating he poses a danger to the public due to repeated internal affairs complaints.
This urgent update comes after the Groton Police Department expressed deep disappointment over Connor’s actions, emphasizing that he violated the trust placed in him as a mentor and role model. “We are thankful to the two young women, who were directly affected by his actions, for coming forward and reporting the behavior,” the department stated. “The POST Commission’s decision affirms the actions taken by the Town of Groton to terminate Connor’s employment.”
Connor’s decertification is particularly significant as it prevents him from serving as a police officer in Massachusetts. However, he can still seek employment in law enforcement in other states, though his name will be added to the National Decertification Index, alerting agencies nationwide to his disciplinary history.
The ruling follows a series of investigations that found Connor used lewd language and made inappropriate advances toward students and staff. A veteran officer with over 20 years in law enforcement, Connor was terminated from the Groton Police Department in 2023 after the allegations surfaced.
Despite being given opportunities to contest the allegations, Connor failed to appear at a scheduled hearing in September 2025, with his absence leading to a default ruling against him. Attorney Amy Park argued that his lack of communication with the POST Commission warranted the decertification, stating, “He has failed to defend this matter.”
During a preliminary conference in June, Connor acknowledged the futility of fighting the decertification, claiming, “I know I’m not going to be getting my certification back.” He insisted, however, that he did nothing wrong, expressing a desire to “get this over with and try to move on with my life.”
No criminal charges have been filed against Connor concerning these allegations, but the fallout from this situation has deeply impacted the Groton community. Once celebrated as a role model, Connor was praised in a March 2022 social media post by the Groton Police Department, which highlighted his positive influence on students.
The developments surrounding Connor’s case serve as a stark reminder of the essential role trust plays in law enforcement, particularly in educational settings. As this story unfolds, community members are left grappling with the implications of Connor’s actions and the importance of safeguarding students from abuse of power.
Next steps include Connor’s ability to appeal the POST Commission’s decision within 30 days in Superior Court. The outcome of this appeal could further affect his professional future and the broader conversation about accountability in policing.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
