A Troubled Legacy: Scandals Involving Fall River Police Chiefs

The Fall River Police Department (FRPD), one of the oldest police agencies in Massachusetts, has a storied history of serving a diverse community of approximately 90,000 residents. However, over the past few decades, the department—and particularly its leadership—has been marred by a series of scandals, allegations of misconduct, and legal challenges. From chiefs resigning amid controversy to facing accusations of intimidation and mismanagement, the FRPD’s top brass have repeatedly found themselves at the center of public scrutiny.

Albert Dupere: Drinking on Duty and a Controversial Exit (2017–2020)

Albert Dupere, a nearly 30-year veteran of the FRPD, was sworn in as police chief in December 2017. His tenure, however, was short-lived and overshadowed by allegations of unprofessional behavior. In March 2020, Dupere resigned after being recorded visiting a local bar during working hours alongside subordinate officers. This incident, uncovered amid a period of heightened scrutiny on the department, raised questions about leadership accountability. Adding an unusual twist, a clause in Dupere’s contract—signed by then-Mayor Jasiel Correia II—allowed him to revert to his prior role as deputy chief under the incoming chief, Jeffrey Cardoza. The episode highlighted a lack of oversight and contributed to the department’s growing reputation for internal dysfunction.

During Dupere’s leadership, the department also faced fallout from the indictment of Officer Michael Pessoa in June 2019 for excessive force, a case that unfolded under Dupere’s watch and led to significant legal and financial consequences for the city, including over $280,000 in civil lawsuit settlements tied to Pessoa’s actions.

Jeffrey Cardoza: Evidence Mishandling and Retirement (2020–2021)

Jeffrey Cardoza, appointed chief in June 2020 after a long career that included 12 years leading the Major Crimes unit, inherited a department already reeling from scandals. His tenure, lasting less than two years, was marked by efforts to stabilize the FRPD amid the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing legal battles. However, Cardoza’s leadership faced its own controversies, notably the mishandling of evidence.

In December 2020, Cardoza personally retrieved two boxes of evidence—including sexual assault files and tagged cocaine—from the home of Officer Steven Washington’s ex-wife, Laura Washington. An internal investigation concluded the mishandling was a mistake, with Washington receiving only verbal counseling. Critics, including political opponents of Mayor Paul Coogan (who appointed Cardoza), questioned the timing of the revelation, suggesting it was politically motivated. Earlier, in June 2020, a separate investigation revealed three safes of drug evidence improperly stored at a detective’s desk, leading to the suspension of two officers. These incidents underscored persistent issues with evidence management under Cardoza’s oversight. Also, a now former Fall River police officer was sentenced to prison for assaulting a man in police custody, and falsifying reports concerning an incident in December of 2020.

Cardoza took a leave of absence in December 2021 and retired in March 2022, leaving behind a department praised for some progress but criticized for failing to fully address its systemic issues. Mayor Coogan lauded Cardoza’s service, but the chief’s departure coincided with ongoing lawsuits and public distrust.

Paul Gauvin: Threats, Misconduct, and Termination (2021–2025)

Paul Gauvin’s tenure as chief, beginning as interim in December 2021 and formalized in May 2022, represents one of the most tumultuous chapters in FRPD history. A 30-year veteran who rose through the ranks from the Uniform Division to Major Crimes, Gauvin aimed to reform a department plagued by staffing shortages, lawsuits, and morale issues. However, his leadership unraveled amid allegations of misconduct, culminating in his firing on April 1, 2025.

In September 2024, both the Fall River Police Superior Officers Association and the Patrolman’s Association issued votes of no confidence in Gauvin, citing resistance to his accountability measures and chronic departmental challenges. Facing pressure, Gauvin agreed to step down as chief and return to his prior rank of captain in the Major Crimes Division. However, his exit took a darker turn. An independent investigation, concluded in early 2025, produced a 90-page report detailing 31 allegations against Gauvin, 15 of which were sustained. Key findings included:

• Threatening Behavior: Gauvin allegedly left a bullet and a knife in his desk drawer as a “hostile act” toward his successor, interim Chief Kelly Furtado, violating codes of conduct and ethics.
• Improper Firearm Storage: Three unregistered antique firearms were found in Gauvin’s locker, which he claimed were intended for a gun buyback but failed to log as evidence.
• Financial Misconduct: Gauvin was accused of unduly compensating himself with extra on-call hours between 2018 and 2021, though he corrected some records after discovery.

The investigation, conducted by Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting, led Mayor Coogan to terminate Gauvin, with the case referred to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office and the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission for further review. Gauvin’s firing marked a dramatic fall for a chief once seen as a local success story, having grown up in Fall River’s public housing.

Broader Departmental Context

While these chiefs faced personal scandals, their tenures were shaped by broader FRPD controversies that amplified their challenges:

• Officer Misconduct: High-profile cases like Michael Pessoa’s 2019 indictment for brutality and Nicholas Hoar’s 2022 federal arrest for assaulting a prisoner in custody (sentenced to over two years in prison in 2024) damaged the department’s credibility.
• Lawsuits: The city has paid out significant sums—over $460,000 in 2022 alone—to settle civil rights lawsuits alleging excessive force and wrongful arrests, many predating but persisting through these chiefs’ tenures.
• Evidence Issues: Repeated instances of mishandled drug evidence, from safes at desks to cocaine in officers’ homes, pointed to systemic failures in oversight.

Kelly Furtado: A New Chapter Amid Ongoing Challenges (2024–Present)

On October 8, 2024, Captain Kelly Furtado, a 37-year veteran and one of the department’s few female officers to reach a high rank, was named interim chief following Gauvin’s demotion. Furtado inherited a department still grappling with misconduct cases, including a domestic violence allegation against an officer and a lawsuit claiming police tampered with a crime scene in a fatal shooting. Her emphasis on community policing offers hope, but the shadow of past scandals looms large. In April 2025, just days after Gauvin’s termination, Officer Mitchell Walsh was arrested in a child sex trafficking sting, further testing Furtado’s leadership.

Conclusion

The history of Fall River’s police chiefs reflects a department struggling to balance tradition with reform amid recurring scandals. From Dupere’s barroom lapse to Cardoza’s evidence woes and Gauvin’s dramatic exit, each leader faced unique challenges exacerbated by a legacy of officer misconduct and public distrust. As Chief Furtado navigates this troubled landscape, the FRPD’s ability to restore credibility hinges on addressing these systemic issues—a task that has eluded her predecessors. For a community demanding accountability, the stakes have never been higher.