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Councilor urges independent investigation into Fall River police, says mayor is blocking probe
Summary
A Fall River councilor told fellow officials they will pursue an independent review of the police department after the mayor signaled intent to veto a council resolution; the councilor said they have filed a police complaint, will fundraise for outside counsel and may hold public council-led hearings if the probe is blocked.
A councilor told the Fall River City Council that the body is seeking an independent investigation into whether there was abuse of power within the Fall River Police Department and said the mayor’s reported intent to veto the council’s resolution is obstructing that effort.
"This is not about politics. This is not about personalities. This is about the truth," the councilor said, adding that transparency "is not optional in government. It is essential." The councilor said the inquiry is meant to protect residents and the many police officers who serve the city.
The councilor said, as a private citizen, they have filed a complaint with the Fall River Police Department; under departmental policy, such a complaint must be investigated. They also said they will begin fundraising to retain independent legal counsel to seek court guidance on two issues: the council’s authority over confirmation of appointments and whether contracts should be enjoined while courts consider the council’s rights under the city charter.
"If an independent investigator is not allowed, then this body will conduct the investigation itself openly and transparently, similar to congressional hearings, so the public can see and hear the facts," the councilor said, urging colleagues to withhold support on other matters until the transparency question is resolved.
In response to questions, the councilor said contacting the state Attorney General may amount to a criminal inquiry but emphasized the council’s focus on procedural and departmental questions: whether proper processes were followed and whether there were chain-of-command failures.
The councilor said they had read the 14-page affidavit and search-warrant materials related to the matter and confirmed they co-sponsored the resolution with Councilor Peckham, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. The councilor also said they had asked Corporation Counsel Ramsey about prior use of outside legal counsel and recounted past tensions when outside opinions were not accepted by the corporation counsel’s office.
Asked about allegations tied to Officer Ronald Larue and the drug task force, the councilor said it would be "very concerning" if a previously disciplined or suspended officer had been returned to sensitive duties. The councilor cited a report from former Police Chief Jack Souza and said there remain many unanswered questions that the council seeks to clarify.
The councilor denied any inappropriate business ties alleged in the mayor’s letter to the Attorney General, saying a planned effort to revive a local radio station with a business partner, Michael Sylvia, had not resulted in an ongoing partnership and that insinuations were a deflection from the investigative issue.
The councilor closed by saying the council’s goal is accountability and transparency and that, if wrongdoing is not found, an independent review will strengthen public confidence; if wrongdoing is found, it could lead to reforms, discipline or referral to appropriate authorities. No vote or formal action on the resolution was recorded during the exchange.
