Probe Finds Andover Fire Lieutenant 'Not Racially Motivated'

ANDOVER, MA — An investigation concluded that a June incident between an Andover fire lieutenant and a Dominican town resident was "not racially motivated," Andover said in a statement released Monday.

In the incident, the unnamed town employee approached Gabby Batista, 19, while she was checking her own mail box, "to make sure someone wasn't stealing something."

Batista captured part of the encounter on video.

The fire employee was off duty at the time and was put on administrative leave shortly after the incident.

The town hired an "independent firm that specializes in harassment and discrimination interviewed the parties and reviewed the facts," according to a news release. "The investigation concluded that the incident that occurred on June 3, 2020 was not racially motivated."

According to the statement, the town has worked with Batista's representatives "as part of an effort to create awareness about the realities of racism in the community." Andover Patch has reached out to Batista and will update this story when we hear back.

After the incident, Batista said it was clear to her that the lieutenant's actions were racially motivated.

"If it was a white female — what he would expect in Andover — no questions would've been asked," Batista said. "For him to say that, at my own home, it's just absurd."

"This racist white man decided to approach me for doing nothing but getting my mail at MY HOME..." Batista wrote in the Twitter post where she first shared the video. "(He) followed me and my friends car recording us and questioned if I lived there."

“I understand that there will be concerns about the outcome of the investigation," Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said in a statement. "Despite the findings, the incident has opened our eyes to the reality that there are residents in Andover who are the target of racism and are not afforded the most basic securities shared by their neighbors and fellow residents in living in Andover."

“Notwithstanding the results of the investigation, I know that our organization is not immune to implicit bias and I look forward to training in this area as it will be beneficial to our members,” Fire Chief Michael Mansfield said.

Andover Fire Rescues will undergo a "comprehensive training program that focuses on implicit bias and cultural sensitivity" beginning in Oct., according to the release. The town will also begin its planned community assessment on racism, diversity, equity and inclusion in the fall.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.