North Andover Police Chief On Paid Administrative Leave: Report

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Police Chief Charles Gray requested to be put on paid administrative leave Thursday, according to Boston.com. Gray has led the department since 2016.

The move comes after police unions approved a no-confidence vote in Gray's leadership earlier this month.

The process "consisted of near full participation, more than 90% of members voiced an overwhelming lack of confidence in Chief Gray and are demanding a change in police department leadership," the unions said in a statement.

Related: Police Unions Call For Removal Of Chief In North Andover

The North Andover Police Department has been the subject of controversy following the acquittal of former officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons.

Fitzsimmons was shot by an officer while being served a restraining order last summer.

Officer Patrick Noonan testified that Fitzsimmons pointed a gun at him before he shot her. However, Fitzsimmons said she only aimed the gun at herself in the midst of a mental health crisis.

She was found not guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon.

The unions' statement specifically cited the case as one of the reasons for the no-confidence vote.

A lack of body-cam footage resulted in the case coming down to the conflicting testimony of Fitzsimmons and Noonan.