Waltham residents surprised by police chief arrest

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Waltham residents surprised by arrest of Police Chief Thomas LaCroix.

LaCroix has been with the department since the 80’s but residents said that it came as a total surprise. They had no indication of what happened and they didn’t know what to think.

LaCroix has been chief for almost five years and with the department for more than 25. Deputy Chief Keith MacPherson is now acting chief in place of Lacroix. Waltham’s mayor Jeannette McCarthy, said the D.A. can’t offer details about the case but reassured residents this won’t be swept under the rug.

“It will be handled,” she said, “Very serious, and it will be handled by the D.A. and then after that, I will take care of it.”

Residents seemed willing to wait for more details before passing judgement.

Several of LaCroix’s colleagues were not willing to offer a comment on camera.