PITTSFIELD, Mass. —  A veteran police officer is leaving the department ahead of a Civil Service hearing related to a shooting incident at his home on July 18. 

 

 

Police had responded to Barber's Cromwell Avenue home that July afternoon for a report of a shooting. There a woman, who still has not been identified, was found with a gunshot wound. 

 

The woman was transported to the hospital and a follow-up report from the state police determined that the shot was self-inflicted and that the bullet came from Barber's service weapon.

 

Since then state police detectives working through the Berkshire County district attorney's office have been conducting a criminal investigation into the matter. The office has offered limited or no comment regarding the circumstances around the case. The Pittsfield Police Department conducted an administrative investigation.

 

The terms of that separations — i.e. retirement, resignation, layoff, etc. — is not clear. Barber has been on administrative leave since the incident. 

 

Wynn said the administrative investigation led to a recommendation that a Civil Service hearing be held to determine discipline — though Wynn didn't specify any reasons for discipline. Barber's voluntary separation lead to that hearing being canceled.

 

Wynn directed questions regarding the criminal investigation to the district attorney's office. The office did not respond to a request for information regarding the case.

 

Barber had been with the department for 18 years.