Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett said she last week is close to making a decision on a permanent police chief and decide the status of Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty.
Two internal candidates applied for the chief’s position, advertised last month with an annual salary of $276,392, but only one is qualified, according mayoral Chief of Staff Christine Lindberg. The names were not disclosed.
Capt. Wayne J. Tracy has been serving as acting chief since October after Chief Robert P. Pistone Jr. resigned and then retired and then his temporary successor, Doherty, was placed on paid leave.
As WHAV has reported, the dominoes began falling after the unexpected death of 32-year-old Police Officer Katelyn M. Tully in September and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office investigation into the July 11 death of 43-year-old Francis P. Gigliotti II while in police custody.
The state medical examiner’s office released a death certificate Wednesday, indicating Tully succumbed to an unknown heart condition.
In October, Barrett said she placed Doherty on leave after receiving “new information.” Earlier, the 83-member Haverhill Police Patrolmen’s Association reported members “overwhelmingly” voted no confidence in both Pistone and Doherty. Barrett then hired Lexington attorney Regina M. Ryan to conduct an independent investigation limited to a review of the “operations, policies and practices” of the former police chief and deputy chief. No conclusions have yet been released publicly.
Barrett also appointed Haverhill Police Capt. Meaghan Paré as the city’s acting deputy police chief last October.
Applications for the permanent police chief’s post closed Monday, March 30. According to the posted job description, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, business administration or a closely-related field is required with a master’s degree preferred. Ten years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement including five years of administrative or command level experience is also required. Candidates also must have completed a recognized executive leadership program such as the FBI’s National Academy. The mayor is also looking for someone experienced in collective bargaining and the civil service hiring system.
Candidates must have the “ability to lead and supervise subordinates and to transmit general instructions in the form of detailed orders” along with a high level of integrity, professionalism and sound judgement, the job description says.