North Andover Police Chief To Retire After Months On Leave

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray agreed to a separation agreement with the town after spending the past six months on leave following a no-confidence vote from the police officers and sergeants unions.

The unions' vote came in the wake of the acquittal of former police officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons, who was shot during an encounter with police in 2025, and later found not guilty on an assault with a dangerous weapon charge for pointing a gun at an officer herself.

In announcing its no-confidence vote in April, the union cited "a toxic culture of vindictiveness and professional stagnation."

Gray was placed on administrative leave, upon his request, according to the town, a week later.

The town said Gray will remain on leave, using his accrued earned sick time while a retirement application is processed.

"The town appreciates Chief Gray's service to the Town of North Andover both as chief and in his various other roles, including as a K-9 officer," Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues said in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon. "Under his leadership, the department created the Community Impact Unit, saw the first increase in staffing in two decades, improved its equipment, and evolved away from Civil Service.

"We acknowledge that Chief Gray has graciously agreed to step aside for the best of the department, and that further shows his commitment to the Town of North Andover. We wish him the best."

Among the union's criticisms of Gray at the time of the no-confidence vote was the department's lack of body-worn cameras, which the union indicated it felt helped lead to the acquittal of Fitzsimmons.

"As a result, despite the credible testimony of several witnesses, including Officer Pat Noonan, corroborated by physical evidence, the Department's failure to implement body cameras was held up as an evidentiary void that negatively impacted the outcome of this case, our members and our town," the union said in an April 8 public statement. "The incident was just one symptom of this leadership failure."

The town said Acting Chief Steven Diminico has agreed to continue serving in that role as the town works through the process of naming a permanent chief.

"We are so thankful to the administrative team led by Acting Chief Diminico," Rodrigues said. "Diminico's leadership during a difficult time for our community has kept the North Andover Police Department not only stable, but also moving forward."