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North Andover Police Chief Put on Paid Leave at His Request

The action follows a union no-confidence vote over department culture, including the absence of body cameras.

Overview

  • Town Manager Melissa Murphy-Rodrigues confirmed late Thursday that Chief Charles Gray was placed on paid administrative leave after a Select Board executive session.
  • The town said it will not comment on personnel matters, and reporting noted Gray was not expected to attend the closed-door session.
  • The patrol and sergeants’ unions passed a no-confidence vote last week calling for Gray’s removal, citing a toxic culture, low morale, and stalled reforms.
  • Union leaders point to the Kelsey Fitzsimmons case as proof the department needs body cameras after a colleague shot her during a restraining-order call last summer and a judge later flagged the lack of video during her acquittal.
  • Gray, who has led the department since 2016, has not responded to media requests for comment as unions continue to push for leadership change and body-worn cameras.