Fall River City Council does not approve appointing Interim Police Chief Kelly Furtado to permanent chief

In a meeting that was contentious at times, the Fall River City Council voted no to making Interim Police Chief Kelly Furtado the permanent chief.

Fall River police officers and personnel lined the Fall River City Council chambers in support of Furtado and a passionate speech took place during citizen input on why the Council needed to act immediately to appoint Furtado permanent chief and agree to the $215,000 contract which is less than comparable communities.

Councilor Shawn Cadime requested that a search committee be organized to find a new chief. An outside search be done for internal and external candidates.

Councilor Laura Sampson gave a passionate response in favor of Furtado mentioning officer support in the chambers and commenting that former chief Paul Gauvin was in attendance.

Sampson and Cadime began a back and forth with Cadime asking what was more intimidating, Gauvin being present or the officers being present. The exchange led to President Camara issuing a recess.

When the proceedings resumed, Councilor Cliff Ponte came to the defense of former chief Gauvin and took issue with how he was treated. He believes that cliques that don’t like people (petty politics) are part of the reason for firings and wants to make sure that those actions stop and do not occur with a new chief.

Councilor Michelle Dionne was in agreement with holding an interview process that included Furtado.

Cadime, Ponte, Dionne, Camara, and Pereira voted against. Hart, Kilby, Raposo, and Sampson voted in favor.

With the no vote, City of Fall River Human Resource Director Nick Macolini stated he will speak with Mayor Paul Coogan in the morning to decide how they will move forward.

Cadime made a motion to send a letter to the mayor concerning the search committee which passed unanimously.