Community
Interim Fall River Police Chief Gauvin terminates Officer Michael Pessoa
In a statement, Interim Police Chief Paul Gauvin has announced that he has terminated a city police officer.
Gauvin stated that Officer Michael Pessoa has been terminated as a member of the Fall River Police Department, effective today, January 12, 2022.
“My decision to terminate him was based on the findings of a hearing officer designated by the City to determine whether Mr. Pessoa had engaged in serious misconduct in violation of Fall River Police Department Rules and Regulations. The hearing officer found substantial evidence that Mr. Pessoa had engaged in egregious violations of Police Department Rules and Regulations and that termination was warranted. These findings and my decision to terminate Mr. Pessoa have no bearing on the pending criminal allegations against him, which will be adjudicated through the criminal justice system.”
“The courts have determined that police officers voluntarily undertake to adhere to a higher standard of conduct; that officers must comport themselves in accordance with the laws that they are sworn to enforce and behave in a manner that brings honor and respect for rather than public distrust of law enforcement personnel. In this case, Mr. Pessoa did not adhere to that standard of conduct, and that is the basis for his termination.”
Pessoa, was initially indicted on the charges of One count of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault and battery, four counts of civil rights violation with bodily injury, three counts of intimidation of a witness (misleading), three counts of filing a false report by a public officer and one count of malicious destruction of property.
The matter was referred to the DA by the Fall River Police Department in March of 2019. Investigators from the district attorney’s office worked together with the Fall River Police Department throughout the investigation.
Pessoa is accused of using excessive and unnecessary force in four separate incidents. The incidents occurred in 2014, 2018 and twice in 2019. He is also accused of violating the civil rights of arrestees and filing false police reports. The victims in at least three of the four cases received injuries that required trips to the hospital.
Since the initial indictment, a judge has dismissed 4 of his 15 charges due to lack of evidence.
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MortisMaximus
January 12, 2022 at 5:43 pm
We need juiced up police officers to deal with the criminal element. Soon social workers will be dealing with sociopaths and psychopaths when they are in the throws of a manic episode. These poorly educated social servants will be used and abused. Violence must be met with equal force not college rhetorical studies vocalization. Give this guy a break he deals with human waste for a living. That’s not an easy thing to do. I don’t want the job!
david
January 12, 2022 at 11:07 pm
The Hood Rats in Fall River need to get their heads broke; it creates ‘law and ORDER’.
That is the harsh reality. The alternative is chaos and dis-order.
A Police Department is not supposed to operate as a social services agency. There are plenty of such organizations and we can see how little they affect a violent and drug-fueled community/society.
MICHAEL PAQUETTE
January 13, 2022 at 6:39 am
Thank God neither of you are, or ever will be, in charge of anything important.
MortisMaximus
January 13, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Save your bleeding heart politics. If you want the criminals running things like all Democrat run cities then your one of them. I don’t need any of you to run anything for me. I believe in American Exceptionalism and the independent spirit that built America. You my friend a part of the mass psychosis operation turning weak minded individuals into sheep who will be targeted by the big bad wolf. ❄
MitzySkritzy
January 13, 2022 at 1:57 pm
What do you recommend dear leader?
david
January 13, 2022 at 11:29 pm
You have no idea what I’m ‘in charge of ‘currently or previously.
Ken
January 13, 2022 at 9:38 pm
Wow I didn’t know we had violent Jack boot Nazis in this area. I’m sure they are fascist Trumpublicans, you know the the authoritarian anti-democracy insurrectionist types poor loser cry baby believing in the big lie types. I’m sure they advocate just shooting anybody that might have committed a crime and save the courts and jails a lot of money! So why should cops have to obey the laws! This country is screwed with idiots like the above!
MortisMaximus
January 14, 2022 at 4:46 am
Hyperbolic speech reminiscent of the fascistic movement currently residing in the white house. Trying to force harmful medical devices (MNRA) “vaccines” on the American people, not fascist! Opening America’s borders to everyone and anyone while forcing Americans to show papers! Rigging an American presidential Election and allowing non citizens to vote! All this great work carried out by your deity JoeBama. Look across the country at the behavior of criminals whom are being treated like fragile little school girls and being released after cycles of heinous crimes. Ken I must say your are either really STUPID or your are totally psychotic. It’s quite trendy to be so liberal when your sipping your $6 lattes at StarSucks, until one of your sweet little habitual offenders decides to make you their next victim. Oh 911 this is Ken and I’m being attacked and pillaged by a sweet liberal predator. Could you please send me a social worker to diffuse this drug addicted murdering demon that was let out of prison by my bleeding hearts club? Sir all of our crime prevention ministers are busy, just offer the offending suspect any valuables you have. We will make a report of the incident and you will be allowed to plead for more abuses if you survive this confrontation. Now be a good little commie fascist and worship at the alter of your dear leaders. You my friend are the true idiot. You call it the big lie like a trained parrot. You keep your eyes and your mind closed to the truth because it is you who lives in fear. Tell the victims families of repeat violent offenders that Americans should be soft on crime. How the hell did you become so out of touch with the social contract. You want to be civil with animals? Good luck on your path to enlightenment along with all of your fascist idols. 🙈🙉🙊 good work little 🐒.