Cheshire Police Chief Arrested on Sex Solicitation Charges
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The town's police chief has been placed on paid administrative leave after being arrested Thursday night on charges of soliciting sex for a fee.
The Board of Selectmen held an emergency meeting at 3 p.m. on Friday and appointed retired Chief Timothy Garner as an administrative consultant. According to a statement from the board, it is investigating options for an interim chief.
According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, 53-year-old Michael Alibozek of Adams was arrested by the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit and assisted by troopers from the Cheshire State Police Barracks.
Alibozek was taken into custody in the parking lot of Hoosac Valley Middle and High School at approximately 9:45 p.m. He had been communicating online with an undercover State Police detective, according to the DA's office.
Following the arrest, Alibozek was relieved of duty and placed on paid administrative leave by the town administrator and the Select Board Chair Shawn McGrath. His town-issued firearm and access to the police station were seized.
In a statement, the Board of Selectmen said, "The Town of Cheshire takes these matters seriously and is fully cooperating with the investigative and judicial processes. The Board of Selectmen has been informed and is addressing the matter in the best interests of the Town of Cheshire. Former Chief Timothy Garner has been appointed as an administrative consultant. The Board is working on investigating options for an Interim Chief.
"No further comments will be made by the Cheshire Police Department or the Town of Cheshire at this time."
Alibozek was hired as police chief in 2022 to replace Garner, after serving on the force for five years. A sergeant at the time, he was one of two finalists interviewed for the post.
The town of Cheshire has reported the matter to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
The defendant will be arraigned on Monday in Central Berkshire District Court.
He is the second county police chief to be placed on paid administrative leave. Adams Chief K. Scott Kelley was put on paid leave in September; the reason for that have not yet been made public. In Sandisfield, the Berkshire Eagle is reporting that the police chief there has been fired as of Tuesday. Michael Morrison was also the deputy fire chief and had been on paid administrative leave since July over inconsistencies in the Fire Department's payroll accounts; this did not relate to his role as police chief.
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