Fall River City Council to investigate police department's use of search warrant

The council voted to order an independent probe into whether the warrant was obtained under false pretenses.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Fall River City Council voted to order an independent investigation into whether the city's police department obtained a search warrant under false pretenses. The controversy stems from the department's use of the warrant to identify the person behind an anonymous social media account that was highly critical of the police.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about potential abuse of power by law enforcement and the need for government oversight and accountability, especially when it comes to the use of surveillance tools like search warrants against critics of public agencies.

The details

The police department defended its use of the search warrant, which was signed by a clerk magistrate so they could investigate the anonymous social media user. However, most of the Fall River City Council believes an investigation is necessary to determine if there was any wrongdoing in obtaining the warrant.

  • The Fall River City Council voted on the investigation on Tuesday night.
  • The controversy was spurred by a recent story in the Fall River Reporter about the police department's use of the search warrant.

The players

Fall River City Council

The governing body of the city of Fall River, Massachusetts that voted to order an independent investigation into the police department's use of a search warrant.

Fall River Police Department

The law enforcement agency in Fall River that obtained a search warrant to identify the person behind an anonymous social media account critical of the department.

Cliff Ponte

The president of the Fall River City Council who said the council has a moral and ethical obligation to investigate the matter.

Chris Peckham

A Fall River City Councilor who said the accusations are too severe to ignore and that answers are needed.

Linda Pereira

The only Fall River City Councilor to vote against the investigation, arguing the council doesn't have the authority to conduct such a probe.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We swore an oath to uphold the ordinances and protect the interest of the city of Fall River — we have that moral and ethical obligation as elected officials to do that.”

— Cliff Ponte, Fall River City Council President

“The accusations are too severe to just pass by and not get answers.”

— Chris Peckham, Fall River City Councilor

“When you file an affidavit, it needs to be enough to get a search warrant. I think there's more than meets the eye.”

— Linda Pereira, Fall River City Councilor

What’s next

The Fall River City Council will now hire an independent investigator to look into whether the police department obtained the search warrant under false pretenses.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of government oversight and accountability, especially when it comes to law enforcement's use of surveillance tools like search warrants. The Fall River City Council's decision to investigate the matter demonstrates their commitment to protecting the interests of the community they serve.