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Medford officer resigns after traffic stop spat

A Medford police detective seen on a video threatening to “put a hole right through” a motorist’s head during a traffic stop resigned Tuesday.

Detective Stephen LeBert’s resignation was accepted by Mayor Michael J. McGlynn’s office. LeBert, who had been on paid administrative leave for more than two months because of the July confrontation, said in his resignation letter that he intended to retire.

A disciplinary hearing for LeBert that was scheduled for Thursday has also been canceled.

The actions of LeBert, who has been on the police force for more than 30 years, were captured on the driver’s dashboard camera during a traffic stop on High Street on July 26. While off-duty, LeBert pulled over Michael Coates for driving the wrong way in a rotary.

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In the video, Coates can be heard telling LeBert he did not see the sign. LeBert threatens to seize Coates’s dashcam as proof that the man caused danger to the public by driving in the wrong direction.

“I’ll put a hole right through your [expletive] head,’’ LeBert says in the video. “Pull your car over. I’ll put a hole right in your [expletive] head. I’ll put a hole right through your head.’’

The driver tells LeBert that he did not know he was a police officer and he pulls over.

“Not only a cop, but a [expletive] Medford detective,’’ LeBert says. “You went through that [expletive] rotary.’’

Police Chief Leo Sacco said in July that although LeBert was off-duty, he had a responsibility to act because of the danger the driver posed to the public. However, Sacco said, there were other ways LeBert could have addressed the situation.

“The language, the demeanor,’’ Sacco said in July. “Just what is being said and how it is being said. I hate even being quoted as saying it, but ‘putting a hole in your head’ — that is uncalled for.’’

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John R. Ellement of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Felicia Gans can be reached at felicia.gans@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @FeliciaGans.