City Councilor’s Wild Racist Slur-Filled DUI Arrest Sparks Union Revolt in Holyoke [WATCH]

Two Holyoke police unions are calling for the resignation of City Councilor Israel Rivera following his December arrest on drunken-driving charges, alleging that he invoked his elected position and attempted to pressure officers for special treatment during the encounter.

City officials, however, say the allegations alone do not automatically warrant removal from office under Massachusetts law.

The Holyoke Police Supervisors Union Local 409 and the Police Patrolmen’s Union Local 388 issued statements urging the city to push Rivera to step down, citing his conduct during the arrest and comments captured on police body camera footage.

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Rivera, 40, declined to comment on the unions’ demands.

City Council President Tessa Murphy‑Romboletti said the council must balance accountability with due process, noting that Rivera’s criminal case remains pending and that the council’s authority to discipline an elected member is limited.

She said that while the council cannot remove Rivera solely based on the allegations, she did take action within her powers by removing him from the council’s public safety committee.

Murphy-Romboletti cited statements Rivera made to state police troopers during the arrest, including, “I’m the one that makes your (expletive) budget (racial slur). … When it comes to me voting on your (expletive), I’m going to vote no, bro.”

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She emphasized that the City Council oversees the Holyoke police budget, not the state police, but said the remarks raised serious concerns about public trust.

“Until and unless there is a conviction or a clear legal directive that requires a council action, I intend to proceed in a manner consistent with how prior council presidents have handled similar circumstances and continue to move council business forward,” Murphy-Romboletti said.

According to a criminal complaint and body camera footage released this week, Massachusetts State Police troopers stopped Rivera early Dec. 21 after observing his vehicle speeding and running a red light on Appleton Street in Holyoke.

Police said Rivera later drove onto a sidewalk near apartment buildings because there was “nowhere else to go,” the complaint states.

Officers reported smelling alcohol, said Rivera’s speech was slurred, and noted that his eyes were glassy.

Police said Rivera told them he had come from Wyckoff Country Club and admitted to having two drinks.

Rivera failed portions of field sobriety tests and repeatedly referenced his position as a city councilor while asking officers to “work with” him.

At one point, police said he offered to walk home.

Officers reported that Rivera became agitated during the stop, yelled, struck his head against a cruiser door, shouted profanities, and used racial slurs.

He was quoted as saying, “You know who the (expletive) I am? I’m not a regular (racial slur),” and later repeated, “I’m the one that makes your (expletive) budget (racial slur).”

Police also said Rivera complained that state police were handling the stop instead of Holyoke officers, stating that Holyoke police “don’t (expletive) work.”

Rivera pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor operating under the influence charge and is scheduled to return to court Monday.

If convicted, he could face more than 100 days in jail.

He also received civil citations for failing to stop or yield and for speeding.

A conviction on the misdemeanor charge would not automatically remove him from office; under Massachusetts law, only a felony conviction results in forfeiture of public office.

Any removal would require a separate legal or charter-based process.

The unions argue that Rivera’s conduct may also violate the state’s conflict-of-interest law, which prohibits elected officials from using their position to seek special treatment, including during police encounters.

The law applies even if no favor is granted and is intended to prevent the appearance of unfairness.

The unions have filed a formal ethics complaint and requested the release of body camera footage, noting that Holyoke does not have a municipal ethics commission.

Mayor Joshua A. Garcia has previously said that concerns raised by the unions regarding Rivera’s personal conduct should be addressed by state authorities or the unions’ attorneys.

Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan said the department was aware of Rivera’s comments prior to the public release of the video and supports Garcia’s position.

City Clerk Brenna Leary said Holyoke does not have a recall process in place and that her office has not received any inquiries related to Rivera’s case.

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