Fall River police chief steps down

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) -- The Fall River Police Department is losing its third chief in four years, as Mayor Paul Coogan announced Friday that Chief Paul Gauvin will step down to the rank of captain.

The announcement comes as Gauvin has faced mounting criticism from rank-and-file officers, who have expressed frustration with the chief's leadership.

Two police unions earlier this month voted no confidence in Gauvin's leadership. In August, a captain filed a lawsuit against the chief and the city, alleging he was retaliated against for doing internal investigations while serving in internal affairs.

"It has been an honor to serve the city of Fall River in this capacity,” Gauvin said in a statement. “However, after much reflection, I believe it’s time for change. I am proud of the progress we’ve made, but I recognize that it’s important to focus more on my family at this stage of my career."

Gauvin is slated to step down as chief on Oct. 15 and assume command of the department's Major Crimes Division, according to Coogan's office. His three-year contract would have expired in May.

Coogan said the personnel decision was "mutually agreed-upon," and it was reached "amicably."

"Chief Gauvin has made significant contributions to the department and community turning the department around during difficult times,” Coogan said in a statement. "We are grateful for his leadership and are confident his continued service as detective captain will be a great asset to our Major Crimes Division."

Coogan, who said the unions' no-confidence votes played into his decision, said he's interviewing internal candidates to serve as interim chief until Coogan's contract would have ended until May. At that point, the mayor said he will decide whether to appoint the interim chief to the position permanently, or look outside the department for other options.

"They're going to get an eight month test to see how they do," he said. "If it's not the things we're looking for as an administration and a city, we're prepared to go out of town."

Fall River police leadership changes have become common in recent years. Gauvin is the third permanent chief to serve in the position since 2020, when then-Chief Albert Dupere stepped down amid a Target 12 investigation.

Dupere was replaced by Jeffery Cardoza, who served as chief until he was replaced by Gauvin in 2022.

Coogan acknowledged the frequent turnover in leadership has been tough to manage, and it has created disruption in the department. The mayor said he's hopeful they will find a candidate who will provide long-term stability for the department.

"It's upheaval -- we don’t want upheaval," Coogan said. "We like things steady in the city of Fall River and we’ll work to get there with whoever we put in as an interim probably next week."

After stepping down, Gauvin is expected to take vacation until January, Coogan added.

"Paul has been a friend of mine for a long time," he said. "He did a great job. But he’s looking for something different in the future and we’re going to work together to get that done."