Haverhill’s police chief retired Thursday, just hours after being formally placed on leave. The decision that came on the heels of no-confidence votes by unions representing the city’s police officers.
Deputy Chief Stephen Doherty was appointed acting chief in the wake of Robert Pistone’s retirement. Pistone was sworn in as chief on July 16, 2021.
Haverhill Police Department has been rocked in recent weeks by the death of Officer Katelyn Tully, whom Doherty referenced by name in a statement released after his appointment.
“I recognize that this tragedy, combined with the daily challenges of policing in today’s world, has placed enormous strain on our officers. Many are hurting, tired and asking for help,” Doherty said.
The police department has also come under scrutiny following the death of Francis Gigliotti, 43, in July, who died while being restrained by officers. The medical examiner’s office ruled Gigilotti’s death a homicide, and his family called for criminal prosecution.
After Gigliotti’s death, Pistone placed seven officers on leave.
The Haverhill Police Patrolman’s Association said the no-confidence vote for Pistone came after members raised “serious concerns regarding continued mismanagement, a persistent lack of transparency and a failure to adequately support officers in the performance of their duties.”
“This action is not political. It is a sincere and urgent call for oversight, accountability and leadership that prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of our officers and the community we are sworn to protect,” the union said.
But it’s not just Pistone that the union has questioned — union members also voted no-confidence in Doherty, the now acting chief.
For his part, Doherty pledged to work to rebuild the trust between the department’s leadership, the city and its members.
“We will grieve together, and we will heal together,” he said.
Mayor Melinda Barrett, in a statement, said she moved to place Pistone on leave on Tuesday after meeting with both the patrol officers’ union and the union representing superior officers. She announced she would hire a third-party investigator to look into the concerns raised by the unions and the department’s operations as a whole.
While Pistone’s departure “ends a chapter, it is not the end of the story,” Barrett said.
“I recognize that the men and women of our police force have faced incredibly difficult circumstances and are grieving for the loss of one of their own,” she said. “Their health and well-being are of utmost importance, and we are making sure they have access to the care they need.”
The exact circumstances of Tully’s death are not clear, but the department has said it does not believe foul play was involved.
Tully’s father told The Eagle Tribune that she was one of the seven officers placed on leave after Gigliotti’s death.
“She died from a stress heart attack, is what we’re assuming right now,” Retired Lawrence Police officer John Tully told the paper.
In his statement, Doherty acknowledged her death “has left deep wounds, and those wounds are still raw.”
“The Haverhill Police Department has endured one of the most difficult and heartbreaking times in its history,” he said.
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