Mass. police chief on go away amid outrage over latest tragedies involving officers

The chief of police in a Massachusetts metropolis has been positioned on go away amid outrage over a pair of latest tragedies involving officers.

In an announcement shared with Boston 25 Information, Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett confirmed that Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone is on go away.

“Police Chief Robert Pistone is at present on a go away of absence efficient Wednesday, October 8, 2025,” Barrett stated.

Deputy Chief Stephen Doherty will function the town’s energetic police chief till Pistone returns to obligation, in line with Barrett.

The announcement comes simply days after police union teams in Haverhill and Lawrence shared a letter from outraged households of Haverhill law enforcement officials addressed to Pistone, questioning his dealing with of the deaths.

“Haverhill Police deserve higher from their Chief!” the letter states. “You maintain the title of ‘Chief’ solely as a result of politics handed you the title. Titles might be given. Respect have to be earned. And you haven’t earned it.”

The households additionally steered within the letter that Pistone lacks expertise, humility, and braveness.

Whereas the explanation behind Pistone‘s go away of absence is unclear, it does come within the wake of an officer’s passing and the demise of a person throughout an encounter with police.

Simply final week, Haverhill Police Officer Katelyn Tully was laid to relaxation after her sudden demise in late September.

“She served our group with grace, compassion, kindness, and professionalism, and might be deeply missed,” Pistone stated after Tully’s demise.

There was no phrase on what led to Tully’s passing, with police describing the scenario as an “unattended demise.”

In July, 43-year-old Francis Gigliotti was pronounced lifeless after an encounter with Haverhill officers exterior of the Bradford Seafood restaurant.

The incident was captured on cellphone video, with the Essex District Legal professional’s Workplace saying a full investigation into the incident.

Officers responding to the scene claimed Gigliotti was performing belligerently, they usually tried restraining him for “security functions.” The video reveals a number of first responders surrounding Gigliotti.

Throughout that interplay, he turned unresponsive, and CPR was carried out. Gigliotti was taken to an area hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless.

After the lethal encounter with Gigliotti, Pistone positioned seven officers on paid administrative go away pending the result of an investigation. The names of the officers concerned haven’t been made public.

In early September, the Workplace of the Medical Examiner listed Gigliotti’s explanation for demise as “cardiac dysrhythmia in an individual with acute intoxication as a result of mixed results of cocaine and ethanol whereas being restrained susceptible by police.”

Barrett made no point out of the deaths of Tully and Gigliotti in her assertion saying Pistone‘s go away of absence.

Obtain the FREE Boston 25 Information app for breaking information alerts.

Comply with Boston 25 Information on Fb and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 Information NOW