Stoughton police chief fights back, challenges acting chief appointment in growing town dispute

Stoughton's former police chief fighting back after being replaced. Her team sent the town a formal letter today and they take issue with the process to appoint an acting police chief. Boston 25 News reporter Elia Murillo live in Stoughton. Elia you broke this story for us yesterday and now you have more details on what they're asking. Yeah Carrie the town says there's a new acting police chief but McNamara's attorney says not so fast. In a former letter to the town attorney Baralt argues that the appointment did not follow the town's charter setting up what could be a major government dispute. The town manager has taken it upon himself to tell anyone he can find that she's fired she's not coming back we're gonna start a new search. We spoke to attorney Leah Baralt on Wednesday hours after town manager Coulter announced that deputy chief O'Connor was appointed acting chief. When asked why McNamara is no longer leading the department we were told the town does not discuss personal matters. There are no formal charges against her there's no investigations. Now this letter sent to the town by McNamara's attorney is challenging that appointment. It states that a review of the town charter shows the authority to appoint an acting police chief rests with the select board. Attorney Baralt says she's not aware of any vote authorizing deputy chief O'Connor's appointment and argues that McNamara remains the town's police chief by contract because she has not resigned or voluntarily stepped down from her duties. I think you know being prohibited from going to work and having the town manager speak about her the way he has clearly undermines her ability to be a leader and so that's effectively made going to work impossible even outside of the fact that they're prohibiting her. Michael LaFleur says he's lived in Stoughton for 50 years now coordinating a rally at the town center on Sunday to call for transparency. I went to the town hall to ask for a response to the claims made in the letter. I attempted to speak with town manager Coulter. His office declined an interview telling Boston 25 they have no comment at this time. All right thank you. Now the Stoughton select board is scheduled to meet tonight. That's where this very public dispute will be discussed. We'll let you know if town leaders respond or if the board takes any action but for now we are live in Stoughton. I'm Ellie Murillo for your local station Boston 25 news. Should be an interesting meeting tonight Ellie thank you.