A Burlington police lieutenant with more than 17 years on the force has been placed on paid administrative leave after his arrest on domestic assault and witness intimidation charges this week. Lt. Peter Abaskharoun was arraigned Monday at Woburn District Court, according to the department.
The Burlington Police Department said Abaskharoun was placed on leave following his arrest, as reported by Boston 25 News. He was arrested on charges of assault and battery on a family or household member and witness intimidation, per the same report. He was placed on paid administrative leave while an internal affairs investigation and the criminal case play out.
Boston 25 News reports that the department said it holds its officers to the highest standards of conduct and is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial review, adding that the allegations do not reflect the department's mission or values. The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission has reported that Abaskharoun remains certified as a police officer, the station notes.
A Veteran With Specialized Duties
Abaskharoun's rise through the ranks has been a long one. He was promoted to sergeant in 2018 before the Burlington Police Command Officers Union promoted him to lieutenant in August 2025. Beyond his patrol supervisory role, he has worked as a day shift supervisor while leading the department's drone unit. Before joining Burlington police around 2008, he spent two years as a New Hampshire state trooper, per the same account.
State licensing records show Abaskharoun holds active police certification with the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission under MPTC ID 9997-2757, with an expiration date of December 1, 2028, according to MA POST Commission records. As of 2026, the Giglio-Brady List database shows no prior records of disclosed Brady material or adverse credibility findings tied to his name.
What the Charges Carry Under Massachusetts Law
The two charges against Abaskharoun carry very different legal exposure. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 13M, the domestic assault and battery charge is addressed in Massachusetts law.
The witness intimidation charge is far more serious. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 268, Section 13B, witness intimidation is a felony that can bring up to 10 years in state prison, or up to 2.5 years in a house of correction, plus fines of up to $5,000, according to the Law Offices of Stephen Neyman. The statute applies to any direct or indirect attempt to obstruct a victim, witness, or police investigation, per the same source.
Abaskharoun was arraigned and will have a pretrial hearing in Woburn District Court.
Oversight and Staffing Questions Ahead
Abaskharoun was placed on paid leave pending the criminal and internal investigations, in accordance with department policies, John Guilfoil Public Relations reported. Separately, the POST Commission maintains independent authority to suspend an officer's certification following a criminal indictment, according to the Belchertown Police Department.
It remains unknown whether bail conditions or protective restraining orders were issued at Woburn District Court, or how the department will reassign shift supervision duties. The Field Operations Team's staffing level and composition were not specified. This is a developing story, and Hoodline will update it as more information becomes available.
