North Andover police chief on paid administrative leave at own request

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — North Andover’s police chief is now on paid administrative leave.

In a letter sent to the Select Board, Chief Charles Gray made the request himself.

This comes after last week, when two different police unions in the town voted no confidence in Gray.

Union leaders pointed in part to the controversial Kelsey Fitzsimmons case as a factor behind their decision.

“Out of an abundance of caution and in order to avoid even an appearance of influencing the investigation, I also suggest that I be placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, Gray said in his letter.

Fitzsimmons, a former police officer, was recently found not guilty of assault following a 2025 incident in which she was shot by a fellow officer while serving a restraining order.

At the time, officers involved alleged that she had pointed a gun at them.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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