Fall River Police Chief on Leave, Acting Chief announced

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE)- Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan shared in a release that Fall River Police Chief Jeffrey Cardoza is on extended leave due to health related reasons, starting December 6, and his leave will continue until his retirement in March.

Mayor Paul Coogan released the following statement,

“Chief Jeffrey Cardoza has acted admirably over the last year and a half as Chief of
Police. His leadership made significant positive changes to the force, while overseeing the
Department’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and several other unexpected roadblocks. On
behalf of the City, I thank him for his years of service to the Police Department and to our
residents. While we are sad to see his departure, he has left the Fall River Police Department in a
better place and we look forward to working with the Acting Chief to continue the progress he
has made.”

Captain Paul Gauvin has been named Acting Chief of Police, sworn in Tuesday morning, for the interim period while a committee is assembled to advise in the hiring of the next Chief. Acting Chief Gauvin has over 24 years of service working with the Fall River Police Department. He has experience in the Vice and Intelligence Unit, Staff Services, Professional Standards, Major Crimes Division and as a Uniform Division Watch Commander.