Francisco Maldonado today became the most recent candidate to throw his hat into the City Council race, trading in the police beat for the political kind.
The Lowell Police Sergeant filed his official paperwork with the Massachusetts Office of Political Campaign and Finance early this morning. A Highlands resident, “Cisco” is vying for the District 8 (Upper Highlands) seat, which is currently held by John Descoteaux.
Maldonado had stated his intention to run for council in a conversation with us last year, saying he would do so upon retiring from the force. When contacted this afternoon, the 29-year veteran officer said March 1st would be his retirement date. When asked for comment on his candidacy and the issues he plans to focus on, Maldonado declined comment, until after that March 1st date.
Born and raised in the Mill City, Maldonado is a graduate of Lowell High and UMass Lowell. He joined the Lowell Police Department in 1996 upon completing his service in the United State Air Force as an Aircraft Crew Chief. He’s also been a visible presence in the area, spinning records as “Deejay Cisco.”
Maldonado became involved in a dispute with the city and the department in recent years after being bypassed for promotion, alleging discrimination and retaliation over what he says are diversity issues in hiring and promotions. The dispute went public in August of 2023, when a story appeared on WBUR highlighting the situation and the resulting appeal to the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission.
The city contends the officer was bypassed due to a number of infractions in his personnel file, according to the WBUR story. The appeal is still pending.
One response to “Lowell’s “Cisco Kid” Rides into Council Picture”
City Council lacks diversity and leaders whom care for the on going city issues such as homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse and on going issues with abandoned cars and garbage disposal turning lowell into a ghetto! If you see something say something is a tw o edge sword when reports are made public as a result there is retaliation.