UMass Chan Lieutenant Arraigned on OUI Charges
A police lieutenant faced charges in Worcester court for a DUI incident that left three parked cars damaged.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Lt. Gregory Markiewicz of the UMass Chan Medical School Public Safety Department was arraigned in Central District Court on charges of operating under the influence and using an electronic device while driving. The charges follow a July incident where Markiewicz sideswiped three parked vehicles.
Why it matters
An internal investigation determined that Markiewicz should have been arrested at the scene instead of receiving a criminal summons. The review resulted in disciplinary counseling for the responding officers involved in the initial processing.
Lt. Gregory Markiewicz faces charges for drunk driving and electronic device usage following an internal investigation. He is currently scheduled to return to the Central District Court for a pretrial hearing on November 30.
The players
Gregory Markiewicz
He is a lieutenant employed by the UMass Chan Medical School Public Safety Department.
Michael Cappabianca Jr.
He is a sergeant who was found to have improperly directed a subordinate to issue a summons instead of an arrest.
Dante Simone
He is an officer who failed to activate his body camera when arriving at the crash site.
Randall Power
He is the legal representative intending to seek body camera footage before the upcoming court date.
The details
Markiewicz admitted to using his cell phone while driving and consuming two beers at a bar in the 30 minutes prior to the crash. Although he was not given a sobriety test at the scene, internal review confirmed probable cause existed for an arrest.
Timeline
The crash occurred on July 19, 2026, at 6:10 p.m.
The arraignment took place in court on Oct. 5, 2026.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 30, 2026.
Legal Context
This case highlights the procedural requirements of Massachusetts OUI statutes and the fallout when law enforcement fails to adhere to standard arrest protocols. Internal investigations into such lapses serve as a mechanism to maintain accountability within local policing agencies.
Residents in Worcester may find interest in the transparency of the UMass Chan Medical School Public Safety Department following this internal investigation. The case highlights how departments handle policy retraining for officers involved in non-standard incident processing.
The takeaway
This case underscores the critical importance of body camera compliance and adherence to standard sobriety testing protocols in police investigations. Ensuring consistent procedural application remains a core challenge for law enforcement agencies seeking to maintain public trust.
What happens next
The defendant is expected to appear in Central District Court for a scheduled pretrial hearing on November 30, 2026.
Further reading
For additional context on how local agencies manage disciplinary oversight, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Telegram & Gazette.
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