Northfield police chief harassed on duty in public
On Tuesday morning, Chief Pierre Gomez was walking into the Northfield Town Office in uniform when a man started shouting at him. The man, later identified as Gary Allen Smith, used racist language and insults. He called Gomez “boy,” “scumbag chief,” and told him to “go back to Pennsylvania.”
Gomez, a Black Latino, said he did not know the man and had not provoked him. A local business owner, Scott Kerner, saw the entire incident. He described it as aggressive and threatening.
“I like Chief,” Kerner said. “It just seemed like this guy was really out of hand.”
Witnesses say chief remained calm during racist outburst
Despite the hateful words, Chief Gomez stayed calm. He said his past police training helped him deal with such moments without reacting in anger.
“He was getting in my face, pointing and referencing me as ‘boy’ several times,” Gomez said. “It was racially charged.”
Kerner also shared that the man walked across the street, came back, and yelled in Gomez’s face again. The entire confrontation took place in front of the municipal building.
Community leaders and residents speak out in support
Town Manager Jeff Schulz confirmed the event and called it “very disrespectful.” He said the town strongly condemns racism and harassment of any kind.
Mia Schultz, president of the Rutland Area NAACP, was direct in her comments.
“Chief Gomez was verbally attacked in broad daylight,” she said. “This is not just a personnel matter. This is a moral failure.”
Northfield Selectboard co-chair Merry Shernock echoed the support. “I have nothing except respect and admiration for Chief Gomez,” she said.
Gomez faces pattern of racism since his hiring in 2023
Gomez, 58, is from Pittsburgh and has 20 years of experience in law enforcement. He served in Philadelphia before taking the job in Northfield in September 2023.
Since his arrival, he has faced repeated discrimination. In April, a former selectboard member mocked Gomez for wearing a hoodie, saying he looked like a “gangster.” Many residents pushed back by wearing hoodies in solidarity at the next meeting.
Gomez sent a cease-and-desist letter to the man, demanding an end to the personal attacks. The man refused to apologize, claiming his statements were truthful.
Residents call for stronger public support from officials
Although town officials have condemned the racism, many residents feel the support for Chief Gomez has not been loud enough. Community members say more must be done to stand by leaders of color in public roles.
A racial bias training program has been launched by the town and is expected to resume in October. A local resident has also asked for racial bias training for the wider community.
Kerner summed up what many residents feel: “He’s an excellent leader for our town. We support him.”
