HOLYOKE — Holyoke police unions are calling for the resignation of City Councilor Israel Rivera after his recent drunken-driving case and arrest video, denouncing what they say was his excessive use of racial “slurs” and overt hostility toward law enforcement.
The councilor, meanwhile, said Tuesday that he’s not going anywhere.
Union leaders say their concern is not Rivera’s arrest itself, but comments he allegedly made during the stop. They say it raises questions about whether he can fairly vote on police‑related matters while serving on the City Council.
Lt. Andrew DiNapoli, president of the Holyoke Police Supervisors Union, said the video from Rivera’s Dec. 21 arrest shows him repeatedly using racially divisive language and threatening police funding. He spoke at the council’s Tuesday meeting.
“The problem is that he’s still sitting on the City Council with voting power over the Police Department,” DiNapoli said. “After making statements about slashing our budget and saying he hates the police, that’s concerning.”
DiNapoli said Rivera used the racial slur at least 19 times in the first 20 minutes of the recording and “dozens upon dozens of times” overall.
“That’s extremely disturbing,” DiNapoli said. “We have African American officers. If I were to say that word even once in uniform, I would be fired immediately.”
DiNapoli said his union and the Holyoke Police Patrolmen’s Union first asked city leaders to prevent Rivera from voting on police matters but did not get the response they wanted. He said the unions later released the Massachusetts State Police video to the media.
“Our first ask wasn’t resignation,” he said. “We were asking for guidance. When no one stepped up, we took it further.”
Rivera has stepped down as vice president of the City Council and left leadership roles on several committees. He was not reappointed to the public safety committee. DiNapoli said those steps do not go far enough, noting that Rivera still serves on the ordinance committee, which can influence police policy.
“He still has power over decisions that directly affect the Police Department,” DiNapoli said.
The lieutenant rejected comparisons to past cases involving other city officials arrested for drunken driving, saying this situation is different.
“The difference is that those individuals didn’t use racial slurs or talk about slashing police funding during their arrest,” he said.
He also said Rivera’s Latino ethnicity does not change how the union views the language used in the video. When he was younger, the councilor also served time for drug and gun offenses.
“What’s wrong is wrong,” said DiNapoli, who is white. “There shouldn’t be a double standard.”
If Rivera does not resign, DiNapoli said city leaders should formally require him to recuse himself from police‑related votes.
“If he’s not going to resign, he should at least remove himself from any vote involving the Police Department,” he said.
DiNapoli said allowing Rivera to continue voting on police issues could hurt morale, as officers face staffing shortages and contract negotiations.
At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Rivera addressed the controversy and said he would not resign.
“The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love,” Rivera said, quoting rapper Bad Bunny.
Rivera apologized to his family, Holyoke residents and his fellow councilors. He said watching the body‑camera footage was difficult, especially for his mother, and acknowledged that he was wrong to drive under the influence.
“Drinking and driving is not OK,” said Rivera. Adding to the pain: He grew up with an alcoholic father., he said.
Rivera called on residents to choose unity, saying the city has long been at a crossroads. He said he hoped the recent election would allow the council to move forward without further controversy.
He credited Massachusetts State Police troopers for using de‑escalation tactics during his arrest and said he is taking steps to address his alcohol use and mental health.
Rivera said he plans to continue serving out his term, holding space for many residents who feel unheard. That’s why he ran for office, he said.
City Council President Tessa Murphy‑Romboletti said her role requires balancing accountability with fairness and due process.
She and Rivera agreed it was best for him to step down from his leadership roles on the council, Murphy‑Romboletti said.
“Holding people accountable matters, but accountability does not require cruelty,” she said.
She said her earlier support of Rivera for vice president came before she saw the body‑camera footage and does not change her disappointment in his actions that night.
Murphy‑Romboletti said police unions have the right to pursue ethics complaints or legal action through state channels, just as Rivera has the right to respond.
“I will respect the outcomes if and when they are pursued,” she said.
Murphy‑Romboletti also said she has received messages related to the controversy that have affected her personally, but she remains focused on doing what she believes is best for the city.
