Stoughton, Mass. – An independent investigation into the conflict between Town Manager Thomas Calter and Police Chief Donna McNamara began Tuesday at Stoughton Town Hall. Both officials were placed on leave earlier this summer after the dispute became public and a lawsuit was filed.
Background of the dispute
The town first announced that an acting police chief would assume duties, but offered no details. Chief McNamara then claimed that Calter ordered her to resign or be terminated after she lodged a complaint against him. She subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging retaliation.
Independent probe
The Edward Davis Company, led by former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, has been retained to conduct the review. Davis said interviews with relevant parties would start Tuesday afternoon and that the investigation would examine possible violations of state law, town policies, the town charter, employment contracts, ethical standards and other applicable rules. He requested full cooperation and asked all involved to refrain from public comments that could affect the investigation’s independence. The review is expected to last about 60 days.
Union response and community reaction
The Stoughton Firefighters and Public Workers Union voted a no‑confidence resolution in Calter, reflecting growing concern among municipal employees. Supporters of Chief McNamara have called for her immediate reinstatement, arguing that the town’s leadership should not interfere with internal investigations.
Link to the Sandra Birchmore case
Chief McNamara’s lawsuit references the Sandra Birchmore case, a high‑profile investigation in which she played a leading role. In 2022, McNamara held a news conference revealing that three former Stoughton police officers had engaged in inappropriate sexual relationships with Birchmore when she was a minor. Birchmore later died under suspicious circumstances; federal prosecutors now allege she was killed by one of the former officers, who faces upcoming charges.
McNamara alleges that Calter instructed her to destroy a second internal investigation related to the Birchmore matter. She also stated in the lawsuit that she had informed Calter of her cooperation with the FBI’s Birchmore investigation and warned that new misconduct issues might require internal affairs reviews of her staff. Calter denies ever asking her to “destroy, alter, suppress, or otherwise interfere” with any investigation, asserting he would never make such a request.
Next steps
The town’s residents and local officials will be watching the independent review closely. The outcome could determine whether either official returns to their position or faces further disciplinary action. For now, both Calter and McNamara remain on leave while the investigation proceeds.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
