Haverhill PD places 7 officers on leave after death of longtime resident

Seven Haverhill police officers are on paid administrative leave following the death of 43-year-old Francis Gigliotti during an interaction with police. Gigliotti was reported to be behaving erratically, running into traffic and trying to enter a restaurant before police restrained him. During the struggle, he became unresponsive, prompting first responders to administer aid, but he was pronounced dead at a local hospital. His fiancée recalled a distressing call from him, where he feared for his life, stating, “They gonna kill me. ” The incident has led to public outrage, with residents mourning Gigliotti and demanding increased police accountability.

Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett described the situation as “tragic” and emphasized the need for a transparent investigation. The Essex County District Attorney's office is overseeing the inquiry, which will involve witness interviews and the collection of public video evidence. Currently, Haverhill police do not have body cameras, but Barrett is working to establish a program as part of ongoing contract negotiations.