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NEW BEDFORD — Police Chief Paul Oliveira, who has served as the department’s leader since 2021, will continue in his role, per a new contract announced Wednesday that runs through mid-2027.
“I am deeply grateful to Mayor Mitchell for this extended opportunity and his steadfast trust in my leadership,” said Oliveira in a statement. “Serving this incredible community is a responsibility I hold with the utmost respect and dedication. I will continue to prioritize safety, transparency, and community engagement.”
The contract also includes a salary bump, effective last month, to $209,000, up from about $201,000 last year. In 2026, Oliveira’s salary will reach $219,000.
Mayor Jon Mitchell commended Oliveira for his leadership, citing FBI statistics that show a decline in crime in the city over the last 10 years.
“Despite a decrease in police manpower, under Chief Oliveira’s leadership, violent crime in New Bedford has continued to decline with a 58% drop over the past decade,” Mitchell said in a statement. “Chief Oliveira has worked hard to build trust between the department and residents, which will set us up for still more improvement in public safety.”
Oliveira has been a longtime member of New Bedford police, joining in 1992; he went on to work in narcotics and the professional standards division, climbing his way up the ranks until he became deputy chief in 2016.
The chief had a message for officers in the department: “I will continue to support you, advocate for you, and ensure that you have the resources to continue to perform your duties safely and effectively. I look forward to continuing our work together in an environment of mutual respect and trust, to ensure the safety and well-being of all New Bedford residents.”
Lt. Evan Bielski, president of the police union, did not respond to a request for comment. Last fall, the union passed a vote of no confidence in Oliveira, citing “serious problems” and “dissatisfaction” with his leadership. The union took the same action against Oliveira’s predecessor, Chief Joseph Cordeiro, in 2019.
City Councilor Shane Burgo supports the contract extension and said the chief has done a great job, but hopes Oliveira can now focus on filling the deputy chief position, which became vacant when Adelino Sousa retired this summer.
“I think that role is very essential for the effective operation and leadership of our police force, and it provides crucial support in decision making and maintaining that community relationship,” Burgo said.
A police department spokesperson did not respond to questions on next steps for filling that role.
“I stand in support of the mayor’s decision to continue the course with Chief Oliveira,” said Councilor Shawn Oliver. “I think there’s still a lot of work to be done, and he’s proven himself to be able to work towards progress.”
“I’ve had a good working relationship with the chief in my tenure,” said Councilor Joseph Lopes. “I look forward to continuing my relationship with him and the New Bedford Police Department.”
Other city councilors did not respond to a request for comment.
Oliveira’s contract extension comes several months after the now-retired head of the city’s human resources department, Judith Keating, emailed Oliveira and other city officials with concerns over his alleged inaction in disciplining two dispatchers for creating an “atmosphere of hostility” in the division.
“We have had this conversation several times and the workplace atmosphere has gone unaddressed for an unreasonable amount of time,” Keating wrote in January to Oliveira and other unnamed recipients, per emails obtained by The Light.
She tied the dispatchers’ “abuses” directly with the hiring and retention issues the division faced, and mentioned complaints dating back to the spring of 2023.
“Documented interviews, statements on exit interviews and more have made it clear to my office that you are complacent in handling discipline for these two individuals,” Keating wrote. “This is clearly a game of kick the can down the road. You are putting the city at risk by not taking responsibility for your division.”
A report on the department, released last year, stated there was a perception among officers that discipline was unfair and inconsistent (noting it’s a common sentiment in police departments).
In response to a request for comment, Keating, who retired in February, said, “I think the emails speak for themselves.”
Neither Oliveira nor Mitchell provided comment on Keating’s emails.
A spokesperson for the mayor referred to the police department’s statement on dispatcher misconduct, issued in March, which announced suspensions and terminations. The investigative report on dispatcher misconduct, which focused on overtime fraud, was dated November of 2023.
The city has refused to release the emails since The Light first requested them in January, citing attorney-client privilege and a personnel exemption under public records law.
Oliveira’s new contract runs through June 15, 2027.
Email Anastasia E. Lennon at alennon@newbedfordlight.org.
So, the drop in crime statistics is cited as a reason for the pay raise. Why doesn’t the Chief get a pay cut when the crime statistics rise? Oh, and doesn’t the Mayor’s pay automatically rise to exceed the top paid city employee? Looks like City Government semantics!