Fall River Mayor Coogan Will Have Four Different Police Chiefs In Four Years

Fall River will be getting a new police chief, the fourth in as many years.

Last week, Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan announced that Fall River Police Chief Paul Gauvin would be stepping down as chief and returning to his previous role as Captain.

“Chief Gauvin has made significant contributions to the department and community turning the department around during difficult times,” said Mayor Coogan. “We are grateful for his leadership and are confident his continued service as Detective Captain will be a great asset to our Major Crimes Division”.

Sources say that Coogan has already begun interviewing members of the Fall River Police Department to serve as interim police chief until a permanent replacement is found.

The search for Gauvin’s replacement means this will be the fourth chief under the Coogan administration since Coogan took office in January of 2020.

Former Chief Dan Dupere was first appointed under former mayor Jasiel Correia but stepped down after an investigation into him possibly drinking at a local bar during the work day.

Dupere was replaced by Chief Jeffrey Cardoza. Cardoza was on a brief medical leave and ultimately did not return to his role and eventually retired in December 2021. Gauvin replaced Cardoza.

Fall River residents took to social media last week after the news of Gauvin’s departure broke, with some saying that the city should look to bring in a chief from outside the department. If the position is given to an external candidate, it would be the first time the city has looked outside it’s current ranks to fill the lead role.

A call to Mayor Coogan’s office has not be returned.