Haverhill, MA, Cop Indicted On Embezzlement, Larceny

HAVERHILL, MA — A Haverhill police officer has been indicted on embezzlement and larceny counts, charging him with taking money from the Methuen Police Patrolman's Association. Mark Whittaker, 54, of Salem, New Hampshire, was indicted on two counts of larceny involving more than $1,200 in value by a single scheme, and two counts of embezzlement from a voluntary association. He is charged with taking the police union's money from 2015 to April 2019.

Whittaker previously served as treasurer of the patrolman's union. On April 9 he was placed on paid administrative leave for an unrelated matter. Then, when other officers took over the financial duties at the union, they discovered irregularities. The Methuen Police Department immediately began investigating and the matter was brought to the Essex County Attorney's Office.

In light of Whittaker's indictment by the Essex County grand jury, Whittaker has been placed on unpaid suspension pending the outcome of the case.

"This case represents a staggering abuse of trust and the theft of money from police officers allegedly by one of our own," said Police Chief Joseph Solomon.

Whittaker was hired as a reserve officer in May 1998 and was elevated to full-time patrolman in June 2000. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

"I wish to commend the officers who caught the theft of their own union's funds and the investigators who so thoroughly worked to ensure truth and justice in this matter," said Mayor James Jajuga.