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Not long into 2025, the New Bedford Police Department came under scrutiny following an investigation by the Boston Globe that traced egregious alleged misconduct with drug investigations all the way up to the chief, who had announced his retirement weeks earlier. By early summer, a new chief — an outsider — was appointed and another consultant review issued. Both led to a series of internal reforms that remain underway.
2025 IN REVIEW
Meanwhile, the department has addressed challenges around immigration enforcement, and mixed views on it from the New Bedford community and city councilors seeking to exercise their legislative power.
Here are some of the biggest stories for the department in 2025.
Body cameras
Though the body-worn camera program launched in late 2024, 2025 was the year it became the new normal for police officers. Giving chase to another vehicle? Activate camera. Interviewing a witness? Activate camera. Carrying out a search warrant for drugs? Activate camera. It’s as simple as pressing a button.
Both police officers and defense attorneys had positive things to say about the technology. It has helped resolve drinking-and-driving cases more effectively, and supported the investigation of complaints against officers — sometimes providing evidence that backed the complaints, and sometimes clearing the officer of alleged wrongdoing.
Chief retires amid allegations of misconduct
Former Police Chief Paul Oliveira, who joined the department in the 1990s, announced his retirement in February. For weeks, if not months, talk had been swirling among people tied in or connected to NBPD about a forthcoming Globe investigation on the department.
Oliveira, in an interview with The Light, said he informed the mayor of his retirement plans in January. He also defended himself against and denied the allegations, which included that the FBI had been investigating him.
He closed out his 32-year career with the department in May.
Outsider tapped as new chief
Jason Thody, a former chief for Hartford Police Department, became the department’s first external hire since the 1990s. Thody was one of 21 applicants who went through a screening committee organized by Mayor Jon Mitchell. He was selected over a New Bedford police captain, who was a finalist.
Thody’s background fits much of the vision the mayor has laid out for the New Bedford police: community policing and modernizing the department.
Police Union President Lorenzo Gonzalez in December commended Thody for his efforts to work with the union and address issues, saying Thody is a “consummate professional.”
The new chief has established committees to tackle various subjects and issues: organizing celebrations for the department’s 150th anniversary in 2026, discussing forced overtime, and planning officer training.
“I think it’s safe to say that any leader coming into an organization, especially a new organization, that’s the perfect olive branch to extend,” Gonzalez said. “Let’s all have a seat at the table.”
After the mayor appointed Thody, the City Council sued the mayor to assert its authority to confirm the police chief.
At the final council meeting before the New Year, a council committee held a hearing for Thody’s confirmation, questioned him, and ultimately voted to recommend his confirmation to the full council, which will confirm him in January.
Consulting firm issues critical report on department
The mayor hired another consulting firm (just two years after Jensen Hughes was paid to do an assessment) to evaluate the narcotics and internal affairs units. Relative to the 2023 report, the 2025 review conducted by 21st Century Policing Solutions was more critical and prescriptive.
Some of the recommendations overlapped, such as the need to establish fair and consistent discipline for misconduct, publish policies online for transparency, and prevent corruption through more robust policies.
The report also recommended a policy change that The Light previously reported on: a restriction on when officers should be permitted to view body camera footage. This fall, the department signaled it will not adopt this recommendation as readily — or at all.
The department plans to issue a public-facing plan in the coming weeks to show the department’s progress in adopting the reforms recommended by both consulting firms.
Police navigate balance between local and federal immigration interests
Federal immigration arrests and detentions happened throughout the Biden administration, but the Trump administration’s aggressive agenda has heightened the tension, fear and activity throughout Massachusetts.
It crescendoed in New Bedford in April when ICE officers smashed a car window to arrest a Guatemalan man with no criminal record. The tactic drew strong criticism from the mayor and elected officials. The police department said it did not receive any advance notice from ICE, and that if it had, local officers might have been able to de-escalate the situation.
In response to an uptick in activity and community pushback, Thody published interim guidance for officers on how they should interact with federal immigration agents.
Among the guidelines, the three-page document states officers must activate their body cameras when responding, and must “fully document” each incident by noting key aspects: whether NBPD was notified by ICE before the operation, what officers observed on scene, and whether any arrests occurred.
As of December, Thody said he has made several attempts to speak with ICE and has not heard back. The department is not getting notice from ICE of when agents will be operating in the city.
City Council gets involved with NBPD immigration policy
After The Light published a story on the department hiring its first Mayan officer, a K’iche’ speaker who is also a legal permanent resident (green card holder), a local radio station and some city councilors began voicing their opposition to the city employing non-citizens as police officers.
It prompted councilors to propose a ballot measure to gauge residents’ stances on the issue, as well as a new city by-law that would counter department policy and mandate citizenship to be hired by the police department. The council rejected the ballot measure idea and referred the proposed by-law to the Ordinance Committee for further discussion. (As of December, the motion has not been taken up.)
The department employs at least two non-citizen officers out of the more than 200 serving. In at least a dozen states, some municipalities allow immigrants with legal permanent status — who can serve in the military and carry firearms — to serve as police officers.
Email Anastasia E. Lennon at alennon@newbedfordlight.org.
Wishing the new New Bedford Police Chief the best of luck in the new year and thanking him for the crack down on the illegal operation of scooters, four wheelers, and motorcycles.