Mattapoisett Police Chief on Paid Leave, Pleads Not Guilty

MATTAPOISETT —  Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons has been placed on paid administrative leave after pleading not guilty to drunk driving charges on Monday.

Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Lorenco said that Captain Jason King would be directing the town's police department "until further notice" while Lyons is on leave.

Lyons was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for a marked lanes violation after she was pulled over late Saturday night in Bourne.

Get our free mobile app

A state police trooper allegedly saw her driving erratically just before 11 p.m. Saturday on Route 28 North before pulling her over and conducting a field sobriety test.

Lyons, a 35-year veteran of the Mattapoisett Police Department, became chief in 2001 and was appointed the first female president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association in 2009.

She was booked at the Bourne Barracks on a charge of operating under the influence of liquor as well as a marked lanes violation and arraigned Monday at Falmouth District Court, where she pleaded not guilty.

Lorenco stated that Lyons has been placed on paid administrative leave "effective immediately," noting that the town continues to investigate the incident.

The statement follows from a previous comment on Monday in which he said the town "is taking the matter very seriously" and examining the details of the case.

"Citizens can expect appropriate and swift action following our investigation," Lorenco stated on Monday.