HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A Captain in the Holyoke Police Department has been placed on administrative leave due to an investigation being done by the department.
According to HPD Captain Matthew Moriarty, an investigation of Captain Manuel Reyes has been opened and is ongoing. He did not disclose the reason for the investigation.
The 22News I-Team has received court documents from the Holyoke District Court outlining a recent Complaint for Protection from Harassment against Reyes from a female officer on the HPD.
The complaint says the alleged harassment occurred between January 20, 2019 through the present and that Reyes sexually harassed and assaulted her on multiple occasions, has sent her inappropriate text messages, and intimidated her when she objected to his advances. The plaintiff says that she was in fear of him as he is a superior officer.
The plaintiff asked the court to order Reyes to stop abusing or attempting to abuse her, to not contact her, stay away from her home and workplace.
Holyoke District Court Judge Matthew J. Shea approved the Harassment Prevention Order that upheld her request that Reyes stop abusing her, to not contact her and to stay at least 50 yards away from her. The next hearing date is scheduled for April 11, 2023.
“This is a personnel matter that will receive rigorous, impartial scrutiny that respects the rights of all concerned,” said Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia. “I have faith in this process, and I believe it will yield a fair, unambiguous conclusion.”
Reyes was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain in February of 2022.
22News will continue to following this story and any new updates will be posted on WWLP.com.