New Bedford police officer’s certification revoked by Massachusetts POST Commission

The Massachusetts POST Commission has revoked the certification of a South Coast police officer.

According to MASSterList, Imari Soares is a New Bedford cop who allegedly acted as an accessory after the fact to a domestic violence incident involving a man she was dating.

In a ruling issued Friday, Soares had her officer certification revoked.

The incident reportedly took place on June 15, 2024, which initially led to Soares’ suspension by the POST Commission.

Court records show that on June 13th of this year, Soares’ charge of Accessory After the Fact was dropped. A charge of Intimidation of a Witness or Juror or Police or Court Official resulted in a Continued Without a Finding for two years from the date of the ruling.

According to New Bedford Light, Shay Gibbons reportedly threatened his former girlfriend with a gun and broke into her New Bedford apartment around 10:30 p.m. to recover his shotgun. Gibbons informed authorities that he subsequently drove away in a vehicle belonging to Officer Soares and met with the on-duty officer approximately one mile from the scene. During this encounter, Soares allegedly took possession of his handgun, placing it—loaded with one round in the chamber—inside her backpack in its holster. Soares reportedly did not reveal this until pressed by superiors. At a supervisor’s direction, she then contacted Gibbons and persuaded him to surrender at the station. “Officer Soares assisted Mr. Gibbons by meeting with him, taking possession of the firearm, and trying to conceal its whereabouts,” the criminal complaint stated. “Officer Soares continued to provide false information while speaking with” supervising officers.”