Gloucester mayor says police chief investigation will likely expand to entire department
Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken has hired two independent firms to conduct investigations into the city’s police chief and a second officer—both of whom were put on paid administrative leave earlier this month.
And, according to the mayor’s office, a third investigation is likely on the way.
In a statement Monday, first reported by the Gloucester Times, Romeo Theken announced Lynnfield attorney Thomas A. Mullen will perform an audit into the professional conduct of Police Chief Leonard Campanello.
Campanello, who garnered national attention over the last year and was honored by the White House for his department’s treatment of opioid addiction, was put on paid administration leave September 13 pending the outcome of the investigation.
Neither the mayor’s office nor the police department would elaborate on the nature of the investigation, but Campenello has said he has “absolutely no concerns in [his] personal or professional life.”
As the Times reported, Romeo Theken allowed Campanello to take paid vacation time for a personal leave beginning September 8, but “abruptly” put him on paid administrative leave indefinitely five days later.
According to Romeo Theken, the mayor’s office also hired APD Management, a Tewksbury firm specializing in investigations, to audit the professional conduct of Detective Sean Connors. Connors was put on paid administration leave September 8.
Romeo Theken also said the announcement of a firm to investigate the entire Gloucester Police Department is expected in the coming weeks. Christopher Sicuranza, the mayor’s executive assistant, told Boston.com that they expect a “full audit,” but have yet to finalize the details.
According to the mayor, the two already-retained firms will operate independently from any city office.
“It is a priority for the city and administration to provide the residents of Gloucester external and objective audits and to uphold the standards expected by the Mayor for all public roles,” she said.
Romeo Theken said there is no anticipated timeframe for the investigations.
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