Police Unions Call For Removal Of Chief In North Andover

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Police unions in North Andover are calling for the termination of Police Chief Charles Gray.

"After a decade enduring corrosive and incompetent leadership, our unions have passed a vote of no confidence in Police Chief Charles P. Gray," a statement from the unions reads.

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 statement specifically cites the case of former officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons, who was recently found not guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon. 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.

Related: Judge Issues Verdict In Case Of Ex-North Andover Police Officer Fitzsimmons

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

"We have long been aware for the need to satisfy the current societal need for video evidence," the unions' statement reads. "For years, our union members advocated for industry-standard body-worn cameras to ensure both transparency and officer protection."

The statement goes on to note that in the Fitzsimmons case, "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."

Read the full statement by clicking here.

Gray has said that the department is prioritizing implementing body-worn cameras. He did not directly address the unions' vote, according to NBC 10 Boston.

Related: North Andover Police Work To Implement Body-Worn Cameras For Officers: Reports