31 Fall River police officers have resigned or retired since Chief Furtado was appointed Chief

A total of 33 police officers have left the Fall River Police Department (FRPD) since October 15, 2024 the date Chief Furtado became interim Chief. Per the results of a public records request to the City of Fall River’s Human Resource department, there have been 17 resignations, 14 retirements and two officers terminated to include Furtado’s replacement Paul Gauvin.

The FRPD has about 180 total police officers, so losing 33 officers equates to nearly one fifth of the force. A major concern is that many of those retiring and resigning have decades of experience like Captain David Murphy who was head of the Uniform Division, FRPD’s largest division. We talked to a former senior FRPD officer who stated that 17 resignations is a lot in such a short time and concerning.

Fall River Reporter requested the data from the FRPD with details (to include names and units) weeks ago, but the FRPD has delayed the information to us by asking the State to charge Fall River Reporter $48 an hour. The FRPD’s request was denied by the public records division, but the FRPD appealed and the appeal process could take up to 15 days. Today, the public records division came back with a denial of the FRPD’s appeal.