: First the Karen Read trial, now the Sandra Birchmore case adds scrutiny to DA, medical examiner In 1993, David Young, a former Stoughton chief, was fired following allegations that he used department resources for non-police business and illegally issued a firearms permit to a prominent businessman. A state arbitrator later ruled that only about a third of the charges against Young were warranted, and that he deserved only a suspension. Young was reinstated in 1995 with backpay. Advertisement In the early 2000s, the department faced a string of legal troubles and negative publicity under the leadership of former chief Manuel Cachopa, including allegations that a Stoughton officer stole merchandise from a Home Depot and the department being named in a state-sponsored report as one of the state’s worst offenders in targeting minority drivers. “There’s been a number of issues, and after a while you’ve got to wonder about the organization,” said Mitch, a Canton resident. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff The department also came under fire when a Norfolk grand jury examined allegations that a sergeant tried to extort a local business owner out of nearly $10,000, which led to an investigation that eventually cast scrutiny on seven Stoughton officers, including Cachopa and both the president and vice president of the local patrolmen’s union. In 2004, the town’s select board replaced Cachopa with Joseph Saccardo, an outside hire who previously worked in internal affairs for the State Police. Shortly after bringing in Saccardo, the town suspended six Stoughton officers under grand jury investigation. “We have police officers here who may not be stable and are carrying guns,” Saccardo told reporters at the time. “It doesn’t get worse than that.” Saccardo’s tenure didn’t last, however, as a revamped Select Board voted to terminate his contract less than a month after he was hired and reinstated Cachopa as chief, who went on a revenge tour against those he deemed unloyal, according to a 2005 independent report. Cachopa’s tenure ended in 2009 when he was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to attempted extortion. He was sentenced to three years probation and 1,000 hours of community service. He later attempted to bill the town for his $549,000 in legal fees. Lineda Yoyo, of Canton, said she was shocked when she learned of the allegations against Matthew Farwell. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff In 2014, the department was thrown into turmoil when graphic photos of Robert Devine — the second-in-command to then-chief Paul Shastany — and a mistress were e-mailed to members of the department and their spouses. Advertisement An investigator found that Devine had been untruthful about his relationship with the mistress and improperly used department resources in the matter. The investigator remarked that “no police department could operate in this fashion and certainly no police department management could be effective or fair if operated in this cavalier manner.” Some Stoughton residents and others who spoke to the Globe on Wednesday said they believe the department is moving in a positive direction under the leadership of Chief McNamara, who took the helm in 2017. McNamara ordered an internal affairs probe of the department in 2021 after Birchmore’s body was found in her apartment. “They need to clean up their act, and McNamara is trying,” said a 68-year-old Stoughton resident who identified himself as Dan but declined to share his last name. “They’ve just got to pay more attention to who they hire.” Tonya Alanez of the Globe staff contributed and material from previous Globe coverage was used in this report. Nick Stoico can be reached at nick.stoico@globe.com. Follow Us