Milford Chief Under Investigation For 'Unauthorized' Use Of Power

MILFORD, MA — Milford police Chief Michael Pighetti was placed on administrative leave on Monday night by the Select Board while the town investigates an allegation he misused his police powers, according to town officials.

According to WBZ, the town is investigating whether Pighetti pulled over a driver and ordered officers to give them a ticket. The Select Board met in executive session on Monday to discuss "complaints concerning an employee" — but the agenda did not refer to Pighetti by name.

"On Feb. 8, 2021, the Milford Select Board, at a duly noticed and convened meeting, voted to place police Chief Michael Pighetti on paid administrative leave pending the completion of an internal investigation into allegations he exercised unauthorized and unnecessary police powers while contractually serving in his capacity as the administrative Police Chief for the Town of Milford," Town Administrator Richard Villani said in a statement Tuesday morning.

Milford police Lt. James Falvey will take over in an interim capacity for Pighetti.

Pighetti, 62, was appointed chief in May 2019, taking over for former chief and current Select Board member Tom O'Loughlin. The town engaged in a search for a new chief in 2019 and 2020, but the town's top pick for the job rejected the offer.

The Select Board last March voted to extend Pighetti's contract for three years rather than offer the job to the two remaining finalists. A new state law signed by the governor in January requires the Select Board to pick from candidates chose by the Milford Police Chief Selection Review Committee.