Adams Police Chief Placed on Leave

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K. Scott Kelley
ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen voted on Monday to put the police chief on a paid leave of absence.
 
The vote to put K. Scott Kelley on leave was taken at an executive session on Monday afternoon to discuss personal matters of or complaints or charges against an individual in employ of the town and to discuss discipline or dismissal. 
 
This story was first reported by WNYT.com on Monday night. 
 
The board also voted to appoint Sgt. Donna Malloy as acting police chief until further notice, according to board Chair John Duval. 
 
The notice on the town website for the executive session states the "the board will only return to open session to adjourn."
 
Duval, in an email, wrote "the town does not comment on personnel matters" and provided no context for placing Kelley on leave or confirm if there is an investigation in process. 
 
Kelley stepped into chief's post in January 2021, following the retirement of Chief Richard Tarsa, a 36-year member of the Adams force.
 
He came from South Carolina, and has nearly 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including roles ranging from school resource officer to the special weapons and tactics team in Anderson, S.C., and worked in policing at two higher education institutions.
 
Kelley was proffered a second three-year contract in January 2024; this ends on Dec. 31 next year. 

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Adams Man in Wednesday's Stabbing Incident Arraigned on Assault Charges

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An Adams man who called 911 on Tuesday night saying he had been stabbed was arraigned Friday on charges related to that incident and on outstanding warrants. 
 
Philip White, 25, is accused of stabbing himself and calling 911 posing as a "friend." According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, an officer responding to the scene at 31 Commercial St. fired his weapon when the White was "observed approaching the officer in a threatening manner with an object in his hand." He missed, and no one was further injured. 
 
White was initially held at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield for a mental health evaluation and was reported in stable condition from his wounds, which were described as not life-threatening.
 
He was charged in Northern Berkshire District Court with assault with a dangerous weapon, to wit: cutting instrument, in connection with the Jan. 27 incident. He is being held without right to bail probation violation from charges of assault and battery, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct from an incident on Sept. 12, 2025. 
 
White has three outstanding warrants which include three counts of trespass and one count of assault and battery on a family/household member. The court has additionally ordered an evaluation on his competence to stand trial and at the defense request, criminal responsibility.
 
A dangerousness hearing request is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4. 
 
District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said he will announce the findings of the full investigation into this incident, including the officer's discharge of his firearm, upon the conclusion of the investigation. The DA's Office said there would not be any additional comments at this time.
 
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