Western Mass. police chief arrested in school parking lot, allegedly tried to solicit sex from undercover cop

A Western Mass. police chief was arrested Thursday night in a school parking lot after allegedly attempting to solicit sex from an undercover cop.

Cheshire Police Chief Michael Alibozek, 53, of Adams, had been communicating online with an undercover detective from the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, according to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office.

Then around 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, Alibozek was arrested by State Police in the parking lot of Hoosac Valley Middle and High School for soliciting sex for a fee, officials said.

Alibozek was placed on paid administrative leave from the Cheshire Police Department following his arrest, according to the DA’s office. His town-issued firearm and access to the police station were also seized. He began serving as the chief of police in June 2022.

The Town of Cheshire held an emergency Selectboard meeting on Friday to appoint an acting chief, the DA’s office said. However, an acting chief had not been named as of Monday morning, according to Cheshire Town Administrator Jennifer Morse.

The town also reported the incident to the Massachusetts POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Commission, officials said.

Alibozek was charged with sexual conduct for a fee and was set to appear in Northern Berkshire District Court for an administrative hearing on Monday, according to court documents.

Correction: An initial version of this article incorrectly stated that Alibozek previously worked for Mount Holyoke College Police. He never worked at the college.

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