Salem Police Officer Faces Assault Charge Following Family Dispute
A Salem police officer has been formally charged with assaulting his mother-in-law amid a domestic dispute that took place at the family residence.
Officer Sean Whitaker was arrested on October 26 and is currently facing a felony charge for assault and battery against a person aged 60 or older, as detailed in recent court documents. During his arraignment at the Salem District Court, Whitaker pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
According to a police report obtained by The Boston Globe, law enforcement responded to a call regarding a family dispute at Whitaker’s home. The incident reportedly began when Whitaker heard his mother-in-law removing his laundry from the dryer, prompting him to confront her.
Whitaker claimed that as he attempted to retrieve the laundry from his 73-year-old mother-in-law, she retaliated by hitting him in the stomach. Officers observed that he did not sustain any injuries; however, the mother-in-law was seen using an ice pack on her arm during the exchange.
Through a translator, the mother-in-law, originally from Eastern Europe, recounted that Whitaker was upset over her actions, alleging that he had pushed her during their altercation. She stated that this push caused her to fall backward, injuring her elbow and wrist. Despite Whitaker’s denial of any physical contact, officers noted a visible bump on her upper forearm.
The mother-in-law later sought medical attention at a local hospital, as reported by The Globe.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of family strife; Whitaker and his wife are currently in the process of divorce, yet they are still residing together with their three children and Whitaker’s mother-in-law.
During his arraignment, Whitaker was represented by a public defender. He informed the court of his intent to hire private legal counsel moving forward. Further updates on this matter are pending, as the court records were not available as of Sunday morning.
Following the incident, Whitaker was released on personal recognizance but is required to maintain distance from his mother-in-law and the family home. Additionally, he has been mandated to surrender all firearms in his possession.
On October 28, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission took action by suspending Whitaker’s law enforcement certification, which entails returning all items and identification linked to his role as an officer.
Whitaker began his career at the Salem Police Department after graduating from the police academy in November 2017 and is scheduled to return to court on November 25 for a pretrial hearing, as indicated by official records.
Chief Editor of Quincy City Beat — Quincy, MA's independent investigative newspaper covering Greater Boston and the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts with fearless public accountability and free access for all readers.
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