North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray has stepped down under a voluntary separation agreement with the town, months after requesting administrative leave following no-confidence votes by two police unions.
Gray’s separation as chief took effect Tuesday, Nov. 3. He will remain on leave using accrued sick time while his retirement application is processed, according to the town’s announcement.
Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues credited Gray’s tenure with creating the Community Impact Unit, increasing staffing for the first time in two decades, upgrading equipment and moving the department away from Civil Service.
The announcement did not disclose financial terms or include a statement from Gray.
Acting chief remains
Steven Diminico will continue as acting chief while the town works toward selecting a permanent replacement.
Diminico has led the department since April, when Gray requested administrative leave. Rodrigues thanked him and the department’s administrative team for maintaining stability during the transition.
The town did not announce a timetable for naming a permanent chief.
Unions sought leadership change
The North Andover Patrol Officers Union, NEPBA Local 2A, and Sergeants Union, NEPBA Local 2B, announced their no-confidence votes in an April 8 joint statement.
The unions said participation was nearly complete and more than 90% of members expressed a lack of confidence in Gray. They demanded his immediate removal, citing concerns about morale, accountability and policing practices.
Among their complaints, the unions said they had advocated for body-worn cameras for years without action. They also alleged that a proposed officer-involved shooting policy remained unapproved for more than a year because Gray considered it “too wordy.”
The unions said earlier reviews and personnel changes had failed to resolve their concerns. Those assertions represent the unions’ account; the town’s separation announcement did not address the specific allegations.
