Braintree fire lieutenant who has warrant out for arrest checks into treatment program

WHITMAN, Mass. — The Braintree fire lieutenant who has a warrant out for his arrest for threatening to kill a woman has voluntarily checked himself into a treatment program, his lawyer told Boston 25 News.

Lt. Kevin MacAleese, 53, has been charged with threatening to commit a crime.

Whitman police said they were called by a woman who lives on Jenkins Avenue on December 13 who reported MacAleese called her and said he was coming to her house to assault her. The woman told police MacAleese threatened to “kill her” and “bury her.”

The woman told police MacAleese was a former boyfriend, but they had remained friends after their relationship ended.

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When officers got to the home, they said the woman was on the phone with MacAleese who was threatening to beat up her husband. The officers said they also overheard MacAleese on the phone saying he didn’t care if police shot him.

While talking with the woman, one of the officers saw MacAleese drive by her home. The officer got into his cruiser and pulled him over.

Officers said MacAleese admitted to threatening the woman, but he wasn’t specific about what threats he made.

Officers said MacAleese then made suicidal statements, so they transported him to Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, where he was involuntarily committed for a mental health evaluation. Officers served him with an emergency restraining order to stay away from the woman.

The Town of Braintree sent Boston 25 News the following statement:

"Lieutenant MacAleese is out on administrative leave on a personnel matter."

Braintree Fire Chief James O'Brien told Boston 25 News he had no comment regarding MacAleese.

MacAleese joined the Braintree Fire Department in 1989. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2012 after serving as an acting lieutenant for three years.

The case is being investigated by the Cape and Island's District Attorney due to a potential conflict of interest.

MacAleese’s attorney told Boston 25 News his client looks forward to addressing this matter once he finishes his treatment program.

MacAleese’s wife is a deputy police chief in Braintree. To be clear, she's not the alleged victim in this case.

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